' • * ' x 





"Ki. 
















CELEBRATION 



TWO -HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY 



Settlement of the Town of Bristol 



UHODE ISLAND, 



Skptkmbku 24x11, A. 1), 1880. 





" A people which takes no pride in the noble :ichit\ e- 
luents of remote ancestors, will never acliieve anythiuf? 
wortliy to be remembered with prirle by remote descend- 
ants."— MAOAri.AY. 



COMPILED BY/ 

WILLI^IVI J. MILLER,. 






ritlNTKI) HY THE PHOVIDKXCK PRKSS COMPANY, 
PUOVinKN't E, K. I. 



3'" 



PREFACE, 



The compiler of this book was content to let it pass to the reader, 
without comment. A preface was not contemplated. But as the last 
pages are passing through the press, suddenly, almost without warning, 
the hand of death has ftillen upon Prof. J. Lewis Diman. As to him— his 
acceptance of the post of " Historian of the Day," and his matchless 
address— so large a share of credit is due for the great success of our late 
Bi-Centennial celebration, the writer feels impelled to make note of the 
sad event. Few who saw and listened to Prof. Diman as he delivered the 
address on the 24th of September last, will forget that radiant face. His 
whole soul was engrossed in his theme and the occasion, and the writer 
knows that the day was to him a most enjoyable one. 

It is hard to realize that he is dead— inexpressibly sad to think that his 
useful life, so full of promise for good to the world, has ended. His 
death will be felt as a personal bereavement by thousands not of his " kith 
and kin." 

The following notice of his death — a portrayal of his pure life and 
transcendent merits — was published in the Providence Journal of Friday, 
February 4th. 

Bristol, R. I., February 7th, 1881. 



"PEOF. J. LEWIS DLMAN. 

" It is not often that such a thrill of surprise and sorrow is experienced 
in our community as was felt last evening, when the sad tidings passed 
from mouth to mouth that Prof. Diman was no longer numbered among 
the living. A few days ago, he walked amongst us, full of life and vigor, 
cheering us with his pleasant face, enlivening us with his genial talk, 
edifying us with his stores of rare and useful learning; and now, in the 
very bloom of life, when there seemed so much left for him to do,— which 



VI PREFACE. 

no one else amongst ns could do so well as he, — the hand of death has sud- 
denly sealed his lips. 

" The shock of this bereavement has come upon us so unexpectedly, and 
with such overwhelming weight, as to entirely unfit us for doing anything 
like justice to his character. No man living in this city or State could be 
counted his superior. On great occasions, when we were called to revive 
the memories of the past, or to be informed in respect of current events, 
it was to Prof. Diman that we instinctively turned as the man best fitted 
for the work. Of late years, it has seemed as though no event in the 
records of Rhode Island could be duly commemorated unless he was will- 
ing to tell the story and ' adorn the tale.' He was distinguished abroad as 
well as at home, not only as a consummate master of history, but also as 
one of the profoundest philosophical thinkers of the day. His lectures in 
Boston and Baltimore attracted the attention and respectof the thoughtful 
and the learned of all classes, and brought honor not only to him, but to 
the State of which he was so distinguished an ornament. There was 
hardly any class of subjects which he was not competent to handle. He 
had read a great deal, and carefully digested all that he read. His 
resources were always at command; his thoughts never lacked utterance ; 
his style was compact, clear as crystal, and adorned with chaste and appo- 
site illustration. He used no superfluous words, and yet never failed to 
make himself intelligible, no matter how recondite the subject that he 
treated. The college students to whom he lectured, the private classes 
which he met from week to week, the smaller band of personal and inti- 
mate friends who crossed weapons with him in the social circle, will all 
remember his words and cherish his memory when the flowers of many a 
summer have bloomed and withered over his grave. 

" His character was known and read of all men. He was transparent as 
the day, and no deceit or guile was found in him. He was constitutionally 
incapable of a mean or dishonorable or selfish act. He never appeared to 
be in the slightest degree conscious of his own mental greatness, and 
never showed the faintest indication of personal vanity — not eveu by self- 
depreciation. He could not help knowing of what he was capable, but he 
did not look down upon others because they were his inferiors. He was 
willing to learn anything which the humblest man was competent to teach 
him. 

" Holding, as he did, very positive opinions of his own, and always 
X'eady to give his reasons for the belief that he had adopted, he was sin- 
gularly tolerant of those who difiered from him. He had a very broad as 
well as a very accurate mental vision; and if he ever seemed to be incon- 
sistent in his views, it was because he took in a larger sweep of the hori- 
zon than most men. He was a very generous-minded as well as generous- 
hearted man, and looked under the surface, to find the grains of truth that 
might lie concealed beneath forms and formulas which he I'ejected. Honest 
error he could abide, while he despised mere sham and pretense. His 
sunny face was an index of the bright and genial soul that he carried in 



PREFACE. Vll 

liis bosom. He was, in the best sense of the words, good company. It 
was a pleasant tiling to meet him on the sidewalk, as we did only the other 
day, and have him propose a long stroll, which, under the spell of his 
presence, was sure to seem very short. He Avas a sympathetic companion, 
and entered heartily into the views and experiences of those with whom 
he mingled. 

"There were few important stations in society which he could have 
failed to occupy with honor. If he had given himself to statesmanship, 
his power would have been felt throughout the land. If he had confined 
himself entirely to what is called polite literature, what he wrote, 'the 
world would not willingly have let die.' If he had adhered exclusively to 
the profession for which he was bred, he would have taken rank Avith our 
most accomplished and influential preachers. ' Whatever he touched, he 
adorned,' and he laid his hand upon a great many rich and rare depart- 
ments of knowledge. 

" Prof. Diman was a true and sincere follower of his Master, Christ, not 
a very rigid dogmatist, not a hide-bound ecclesiastic, not a man to hurl 
anathemas at the heads of those who did not in all points think as he did, 
but he had the loving, gentle, kind and charitable spirit of Him whom he 
served from his early youth, and in whose arms we believe he now rests 
in peace. How we shall all miss him ! He leaves a void that will not soon 
be filled. It is hard to conceive that one, in whom there was so much of 
life, has now so suddenly ceased to live. ' We cannot make him dead.' 
And he Is not dead. He has only left the earthly tabernacle, in which he 
dwelt, and passed on to a higher and grander existence. Such men can- 
not die. He lives here on earth in the work that he has done, and in the 
noble impressions he has made upon the lives of those who were brought 
within his influence. But it is very sad to think that we shall see him no 
more in our daily rounds and hear his words no longer. We feel that not 
only has a great man fallen in Israel, but that we have lost a friend and a 
brother. In many a household tears are shed to-day as the tidings come 
to them that he has passed away. A dark shadow lies across the 
threshold of the dwelling, which, for many years, was made so bright and 
cheery by his presence, and the widow and the orphan mourn ' with a 
grief too deep for tears.' " 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PKOF, DIMAN. 

[The following sketch, which we believe had received the approval of 
our lamented friend, we are permitted to use, through the courtesy of the 
representatives of the National Biographical Publishing Company, at 
whose instance it was prepared.] 



Vlll PREFACE. 

Prof. J. Lewis Diman, D. D., second son of Byron and Abby Alden 
(Wight) Diman, was boru in Bristol, May 1, 1831. In his early youth he 
enjoyed superior advantages for mental culture and discipline, which he 
diligently improved. He was prepared for college by the Kev. James N: 
Sykes, a Baptist clergyman settled in the place, and at the age of sixteen 
he entered Brown University. From this institution of learning he was 
graduated with honor in 1851, having assigned to him for Commencement 
the " Classical Oration." Soon afterwards he went abroad, travelling 
extensively on the continent, and spending several years at the universities 
of Halle, Heidelberg and Berlin. Returning he entered the Theological 
Seminary at Andover, Massachusetts, where he was graduated in 1856. 
In the fall of this year he was settled as pastor of the First Congregational 
Church in Fall River, and again in I8(;0, as pastor of the Harvard Church 
in Brookline. Mass. In 18G4 he was appointed Professor of History and 
Political Economy in Brown University, tilling a vacancy occasioned by 
the resignation of Prof William Gamraell, LL. D. Here he has distin- 
guished himself by his devotion to his work and by his rare scholarship 
and attainments. In 1870 he was honored with the degree of Doctor of 
Divinity conferred upon him by the Board of Fellows of the University. 
In 1873 he was elected a corresponding member of the Massachusetts 
Historical Society. Mr. Diman has often been called upon to deliver ser- 
mons, addresses and lectures on important occasions, many of which have 
been published. Among these may be mentioned a sermon, delivered 
October IG, 18G7, in the Chapel of Brown University, at the request of the 
Faculty, in commemoration of Rev. Robinson Potter Dunn, D. D., for 
many years Professor of Rhetoric in the University ; " Historical Basis of 
Belief," one of the Boston Lectures, delivered in 1870; " The Alienation 
of the Educated Class from Politics," an oration before the Phi Beta 
Kappa Society, at Cambridge, Mass., delivered June 29, 1876; An Address 
delivered at Portsmouth, R. I , July 10, 1877, at the Centennial Celebra- 
tion of the Capture of Gen. Prescott by Lieut. Col. Barton. This was 
afterwards published with notes, forming No. 1 of Rider's Rhode Island 
Historical Tracts. An address delivered October 16, 1877, upon the occa- 
sion of the dedication of the monument in commemoration of the life and 
services of the venerated founder of the State, in Roger Williams Park. 
An address at the dedication of the Rogers Free Library, at Bristol, deliv- 
ered January 12, 1878. Twenty lectures on the Thirty Years War, deliv- 
ered in 1879, before the professors and students of Johns Hopkins 
University, Baltimore, Md. Twelve lectures before the Lowell Institute, 
Boston, delivered in the spring of 1880. He delivered the address at the 
two hundredth anniversary of'his native town in the fall of 1880, which 
address has since been published with the ju-oceedings. Mr. Diman has 
also furnished leading articles for the Providence Journal, North American 
Beview. and other papers and periodicals. His article entitled, " Religion 
in America, 1776-1876," published in the January number of the North 
American Review, uttvixctQiX universal attention. He edited "John Cot- 
ton's Answer to Roger Williams," in "Vol. 2 of " Publications of the Nar- 
ragansett Club," and also "George Fox Digg'd out of his Burrowes," 
constituting Vol. 5 of the same " Publications." He also furnished one 
of the sketches in the memorial volume entitled " Brown University in the 
Civil War." 

Mr. Diman married May 15, 1861, Emily G. Stimson, of Providence, 
only surviving daughter of John J. and Abby M. (Clarke) Stimson. Four 
children are the fruits of this union. 



BT- CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



THE DATE SELECTED. 

The Mount Hope lands, so called, which were incorporated 
into the township of Bristol, covered the southern portion of 
Mount Hope Neck and the peninsular of Poppasquash, and 
were first known to the English settlers of New England by 
the beautiful Indian name of Pokanoket. 

The " Great Deed " of conveyance from Plymouth Colony 
to the four original proprietors, was made on the fourteenth 
day of September, 1680, "and in the thirty-second year of 
the Reigne of our Soveraigne Lord King Charles the Second, 
over England," etc. 

The contracting parties were, "Josiah Winslow, Esq., Gov- 
ernor of his majesty's Collony of Ncav Plymouth, in New 
England; Thomas Hinckley, Esq., Deputy Governor, Wil- 
liam Bradford, Esq., Treasurer, all of the aforesaid Collony, 
on the one part ; and John AValle}', Nathaniel Oliver, Nathan- 
iel Byfield, and Stephen Burton, all of Boston, in the Collony 
of the Massachusets in New England aforesaid. Merchants, 
on the other part." The consideration was "Eleven hun- 
dred pounds of currant money of New England." And for 
this sum the parties of the first part "by these presents .doe 
fully, freely, clearly, and absolutely give, grant, bargaine, 
sell, aliene, enfeoffe and confirm unto the said John AValley, 
Nathaniel Oliver, Nathaniel Byfield and Stephen Burton, and 
to their heyres & assignes forever, all that tract or parcell of 



2 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

Land, situate, lying and being within the aforesaid Collony 
of New Plymouth, commonly called and known by the name 
of Mount Hope Neck & Poppasquash Neck, with all the 
Islands lying neare or about the said Neckes, not exceeding 
five acres, and not already legally disposed of." 

The date of the "Great Deed" (September 14, 1680,) was 
accepted as the beginning of the settlement of the town, and 
its two hundredth anniversary, September 24, 1880, (changed 
from the old to the new style of reckoning time) , was desig- 
nated as "the day we celebrate." 

In the Town Clerk's otfice, in Bristol, is an old folio book, 
bound in leather, and showing marks of age, Avherein is 
recorded a copy of the " Great Deed," from which the fore- 
troino- extracts are taken. The book also contains other 
deeds and conveyances, covering common, ministerial, and 
school lands, and the streets of the town, together with arti- 
cles of agreement, and contracts between the first settlers, 
which are of deep interest. In it also may be found a record 
of the proceedings in town meeting from the first settlement 
to the close of the year 1718. At the end of the proceed- 
ings of the last recorded town meeting, is the following : 

"Thus endeth the First Book of Records,* of the town of 
Bristol; Faithfully transcribed by Richard Smith, who was 
chosen and duly authorized for that purpose by the Freeman 
of said Town. 

"Bristol, April 27th, a. d. 1826." 

Mr. Smith adds this on the following page of the Book ; — 

" MEMORANDUM. 

"Richard Smith, the First Recording Town Clerk for the 
Town of Bristol, was born in the city of London, in the year 
1643. In the year 1673, came over to New England with his 

* These Records were copied from a small book that is still in existence in the Town 
Clerk's office, and is doubtless the first record book of the town. It is very much worn, 
and fragments are missing from many pages. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 6 

little Family, and settled in Boston, and from thence with his 
Family to Bristol, Nov. 9th, 1(J80, where he erected a dwell- 
ing House at the South AVest corner of the eight acre square 
bounding West on Hope street, and South on Constitution 
street, in which he resided until his Death, which was in the 
3'ear 1696. 

"Samuel, Son of Richard, was Born June 2-4th, 1683. 
Died November 18th, 1766. 

"Richard, Son of Samuel, was Born May 25th, 1720. 
Died February 6th, 1813. 

"Richard, Son of Richard, 2d, was Born April 16th, 1753. 



"Samuel, Son of Richard, 3d, was Born Oct. 8th, 1787. 
Died June 23d, 1801. 

" All the above named, excepting the ancestor (Richard 
Smith), was l)orn in Bristol, within the space of five Rods 
square, and all of them died in the same space, excepting 
Richard the 3d (the transcriber of this Record Book) , who 
is still living, this 16th Day of April, 1827, and has left a 
blank, to be hereafter filled up by some Friend." 

Then follows this : 

"Richard Smith the 3d, the transcriber of this Book, died 
October 17th, a. d. 1832, in the 80th year of his age. And 
the ' Friend' who has filled up this 'Blank ' is William Throop, 
who, perhaps, wall never perform a similar ofiice for a more 
worthy Citizen. 

"October 17, 1832." 

Col. William Throop w\as appointed Town Clerk in 1832, 
and gave many years of faithful service in that office. In 
1847 the present careful and efficient Town Clerk, Peter 
Gladding, Esq., succeeded him, and has served continuously 
in that capacity to the present time. Mr. Gladding could 
very appropriately add a similar endorsement to the worth 
of his immediate predecessor, the late William Throop. 



4: BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

INITIAL, MOVEMENT FOR A CELEBRATION. 

The first movement for a due observance of the two hun- 
dredth anniversary of the settlement of the Town, was a pre- 
liminary meeting held at the office of S. P. Colt, Esq., on 
the evening of March 15th, 1879. 

Quite a number of citizens were present, and after organ- 
izing and exchanging views on the subject, a committee 
was appointed to confer with the Town Council, at their 
meeting on Monday, March 17th, and request them to call a 
meeting to consider the subject of a celebration of the day. 

William J. Miller, Samuel P. Colt, Chas. A. Greene, 
Isaac F. Williams, Bennett J. Munro and Le Baron B. Colt, 
constituted the committee. 

The action of the Council, as appears of record, was as 
follows : 

"Town Council, Monday, March 17th, a. d. 1879. 

"Upon the representation of William J. Miller, and others, 
asking that the Council call a meeting of citizens, to take 
steps to lay before the town a method of celebrating the 
two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the town : — 
The Council voted to call such a meeting at the Town Hall, 
on Tuesday, March 25th, at 8 o'clock in the evening, and 
that said meeting be advertised in the Bristol Phenix. 

" A report of the meeting in ToAvn Hall is copied from the 
Bristol Phenix of March 29th, as follows : 

" Last Tuesday evening a ' Citizens' Meeting ' was held in 
Town Hall, in pursuance of a notice given by the Town 
Council, in the Phenix of last Saturday, ' for the purpose of 
taking into consideration the appropriate celebration of the 
coming 200th anniversary of the settlement of the town.' 
The meeting was called to order by Wm. H. Spooner, Esq., 
President of the Town Council, at 8 o'clock. Le Baron B. 
Colt, Esq., was elected Chairman, and Wm. T. C. Wardwell, 
Esq., Secretary. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

"William J. Miller, Esq., after explaining the object of the 
meeting, and expressing himself as being very much inter- 
ested in the matter, suggested that a committee be appointed 
to draft resolutions to be presented to the citizens at their 
next annual town meeting, held for choice of town officers 
and other business of the town. 

" On motion of Mr, Edward S. Babbitt, it was unanimously 
voted as the sense of the meeting, that the 200th anniversary 
of the settlement of the town, which will occur in the autumn 
of next year (1880) , be celebrated in an appropriate manner. 

" II was also voted that a committee of seven be appointed 
to draw up a series of resolutions relative to the proposed 
celebration, and lay the whole matter before the town meet- 
ing, which will be held on Saturday, April 12th, requesting 
the town, in its corporate capacity, to take action thereon. 
The committee chosen consisted of Messrs. W. T. C. Ward- 
well, Le Baron B. Colt, Wm. J. Miller, Edward W. Brun- 
sen, James M. Gifford, J. Russell Bullock, and Augustus O. 
Bourn. 

"Brief and appropriate remarks were made by Messrs. 
Wm. J. Miller, Charles H. Spooner, Le Baron B. Colt, 
Edward S. Babbitt, Isaac F. Williams, W. T. C. Wardwell, 
Samuel P. Colt, Wm. H. Spooner, John H. D'Wolf, Augus- 
tus O. Boum, and Rev. James P. Lane. 

" There was a large attendance at the meeting, a consid- 
erable interest manifested in the proposed celel^ration, and 
the proceedings throughout were quite spirited and very 
harmonious." 

"In Tovrs Meeting, April 12th, 1879. 
" The following resolutions on the celebration of the two 
hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the town of 
Bristol, were presented by Le Baron B. Colt, Esq., Avhich, 
after some pertinent remarks by him, were unanimously 
adopted : — 



b BI-CENTENXIAL OF BKISTOL. 

"Whereas, the year 1880 will mark the two hundredth 
anniversary of the settlement of the town, and, 

" Whereas, the great deed of sale of the tract of land then 
commonly called and known by the name of INIonnt Hope 
Neck and Poppasquash Neck, from Plymouth Colony to John 
Walley, Nathaniel Oliver, Nathaniel Byfield and Stephen 
Burton, the four original proprietors of the town of Bristol, 
bears date September 14, 1080, O. S., corresponding to 
September 25, N. S., and 

"Whereas, at a public meeting called bj^the Town Coun- 
cil, of the citizens of Bristol, in the Town Hall, on the 25th 
day of jNIarch last, it was unanimously resolved, that the 
town should celebrate, in an appropriate way, the approach- 
ing two hundredth anniversary of its foundation, and in 
furtherance of this object, the said meeting appointed a com- 
mittee of seven, to draft resolutions and present the subject 
to the next annual town meeting for such action as it might 
deem proper to take, now, therefore, 

^'Resolved, That we, the citizens of Bristol, in Town Meet- 
ing assembled, mindful of the goodl}^ heritage received from 
the fathers, and desirous of keeping in grateful remembrance 
the wise forecast and sterling qualities of the men who 
founded here a town, and laid it out in all its fair propor- 
tions, do hereby set apart the 25th day of September, a. d. 
1880, to celebrate the bi-centennial of its settlement, and do 
hereby constitute and appoint an executive committee of 
forty-five, to take the whole matter into consideration ; the 
committee to have full power to take such preliminary steps 
as may be found necessary and expedient, and to report such 
action as they have taken and such plans as they have agreed 
upon to the next annual Town Meeting. 

^'Hesolved, That we cordially invite the co-operation of all 
the citizens of the town in this undertaking, that we may 
have a celebration worth}^ of the descendants of the men who 
founded it, and of its whole past history." 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



The committee of forty-five was duly elected as follows 



William H. Spooner, 
William T. C. Wardwcll, 
Henry Goff, 
Isaac F. Williams, 
Charles A. Greene. 
John B. Pearce, 
Edward W. Briinsen, 
Le Baron B. Colt, 
Messadore T. Bennett, 
Benjamin L. West, 
Josephiis Gooding, 
Nehemiah Cole, 
Otis Munro, 
Jonathan D. Waldron, 
Samuel W. Church, 
Solon H. Smith, 
J. Howard Manchester, 
A. Sidney D'Wolf, 
Charles D'W. Brownell, 
James M. Gifford, 
Seth Paull, 

Charles H. R. Doringh, 
Robert S. Andrews, 



Lemuel A. Bishop, 
Samuel M. Lindsey, 
Lemuel W. Briggs, 
Samuel S. Drury, 
Benjamin R. Wilson, 
Ambrose E. Burnside, 
J. Russell Bullock, 
Thomas F. Usher, 
John Collins, 
Charles F. Herreshoff, 
Bennett J. Munro, 
Joseph B. Burgess, 
Augustus O. Bourn, 
Horace M. Barns, 
William Bradford, 
Herbert M. Howe, 
Samuel Norris, 
Samuel P. Colt, 
William J. Miller, 
Edward S. Babbitt, 
James Lawless, 
William R. Ta^dor. 



The first meeting of the " Bi-Centennial Committee of 
forty-five," was held at Town Hall, on Saturday evening, 
June 28th, 1879, and steps were taken for a permanent or- 
ganization. Frequent meetings were held during the year, 
and several entertainments were given in Town ILall in aid 
of the bi-centennial fund. 

At the annual town meeting held April 10th, a. d. 1880, 
the report of the committee upon the bi-centennial celebra- 
tion was presented, read, and ordered to be recorded, as fol- 
lows : 



O BI-CENTEKMAL OF BRISTOL. 

"The committee ui^on the bi-ccntennial celebration, ap- 
pointed at the last annual town meeting, in compliance with 
the resolution empowering them to take such preliminary 
steps as may be found necessary and expedient, and to report 
such action as they may have taken, and such plans as they 
may have agreed upon, to the next annual town meeting, 
beg leave to report : 

"^'That soon after their appointment the committee met 
and organized by the selection of the following officers and 
sul)-committees : 

" President — Le Baron B. Colt. 

"Vice Presidents — Samuel W. Church, Jonathan D. 
Waldron, William R. Taylor, James Lawless, James M. 
Gifford. 

" Treasurer — Henry Goff. 

" Secretary — William H. Spooner. 

" Executive Committee — Chairman, AYilliam J. Miller ; 
Secretary, Edward S. Babbitt ; meml)ers, Messadore T. 
Bennett, Edward W. Brunsen, Samuel P. Colt, John Col- 
lins, Charles A. Greene, Wm. H. Spooner, Solon H. Smith, 
William T. C. Wardwell, Isaac F. Williams. 

"Committee on Correspondence — Chairman, Bennett J. 
Munro ; members, Charles D'W. Brownell, J. Russell Bul- 
lock, Edward W. Brunsen, Edward S. Babbitt. 

" The committee took early action upon the subject of an 
historical address and poem for the occasion, and they have 
invited Prof. J. Lewis Diman, of Providence, to deliver the 
address, and the Rt. Rev. M. A. D'W. Howe, Bishop of 
Central Pennsylvania, to deliver the poem. Both gentle- 
men have responded favorably to the invitation. 

" The committee also took early action in regard to rais- 
ing funds, and they have succeeded in accumulating a fund 
of about $270, the same being the proceeds of the various 
entertaiments kindly volunteered for this object. 

" The committee after carefully considering the sul^ject of 
the due observance of the day, at the various meetings held 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. V 

during the year, agreed upon and recommend a celebration 
which shall eml^ody substantially and in brief .an historical 
address, an historical poem, tents upon the common, in 
which appropriate exercises are to be held, and dinner served 
to in\'ited guests, the ringing of bells, national salutes, 
music, a procession, decoration and illumination of the town, 
and an exhibition of ancient portraits and relics connected 
with the history of the town. 

"In order to carry out the above plans, your committee, 
after carefully considering the probable expense of the same, 
estimate that they will require from the town an appropria- 
tion of $1,500, and recommend that the same ])e made ; and 
to this end the delegation in the General Assembly from the 
town have had an enabling act passed covering the said 
amount. 

"Your committee take pleasure in acknowledging the 
interest manifested generally by the citizens of the town 
and State in the proposed celebration, and especially the ex- 
pression of hearty good will and pledge of active co-opera- 
tion on the part of the Rhode Island Historical Society. 

Respectfiilly submitted, 

Le Baron B. Colt, 

JF'or the Committee." 

The following resolution was presented by Charles F. 
HerreshofF, Esq., and adopted : 

^'Resolved, That the sum of $1,500 be, and the same is 
hereby appropriated, for a due observance of the two hun- 
dredth anniversary of the settlement of this town ; and that 
Friday, the 24th day of September next, be, and the same 
is, hereby designated as the day for such celebration." 

After the action of the citizens in town meeting, making 
the liberal appropriation asked for, the committee moved 
2 



10 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

forward with confidence. Sub-committees for the various 
objects in view were appointed, and an increased interest in 
the proposed celebration was manifested on the part of the 
citizens generally. 

At a meeting of the committee on the 5th of May, vacan- 
cies caused by the death of Dr. S. S. Drury and A. Sidney 
D'Wolf, and the resignation and removal from town of 
Lemuel A. Bishop, were filled by the appointment of Peter 
Gladding, John Howland Pitman, and Charles H. Spooner. 

It was voted that the planting of four trees upon the Com- 
mon, in memory of the first four proprietors, be referred to 
Edward S. Babbitt, Josephus Gooding, Henry Goft', C. H. 
R. Doringh and S. P. Colt, with full power to carry out the 
same. 

Sub-committees were appointed as follows : 

On Instrumental Music — C. A. Greene, T. F. Usher, J. 
B. Burgess. 

On Tents and Dinner — C. F. Herreshoft', J. M. Giflbrd, 
Henry Goff, H. M. Howe. 

On Procession— I. F. Williams, W. T. C. Wardwell, 
Wm. H. Spooner, N. G. Herreshofl', J. B. Burgess, G. O. 
Eddy, C. A. Waldron. 

On Vocal Music— W. T. C. Wai-dwell. 

On Odes— Wm. J. Miller. 

On Decorations — C. A. Greene, T. F. Usher, J. B. Bur- 
gess. 

On Transportation — J. B. Burgess, T. F. Usher, C. H. 
Spooner. 

On Police— E. S. Babbitt, W. H. Spooner. 

On Platfonn and Seats in Tent — John Collins, E. S. Bab- 
l)itt, W. T. C. Wardwell. 

On Carriages and Eeception of Invited Guests — R. S. An- 
drews, H. M. Howe, H. M. Barns, J. Lawless, W. J. Mil- 
ler, E. W. Brunsen, W. T. C. Wardwell, J. B. Burgess, E. 
S. Babbitt, C. D'W. Brownell, T. F. Usher. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 11 

On Loan Exhibition — Wm. J. Miller, John Collins, C. F. 
Herreshoff, E. S. Babbitt, John H. D'Wolf, John H. Pit- 
man. 

Col. C. A. Greene, of the Phemx, was appointed a com- 
mittee to provide suitable facilities for the members of the 
press, and to see that they were properly entertained, but 
being confined to his house by severe illness. Col. J. B. Bur- 
gess was designated for the purpose, and discharged his 
duties in the most satisfactory manner. 

Charles H. Spooner was appointed a committee to ask of 
the trustees of the several churches in town, that they be 
open for the inspection of the public on the day of the cele- 
bration. 

Messrs. S. H. Smith and E. S. Babbitt were appointed a 
committee to arrange for the proper seating of the audience 
in the main tent. 

E. W. Brunsen was appointed to distribute badges and 
dinner tickets to visiting Sons and Daughters, and to arrange 
for sale of same, with power to appoint assistants. 

E. S. Babbitt was appointed a committee for floral deco- 
rations on dining tables. 

By request of the general committee, the school commit- 
tee ordered the public schools closed on Thursday and Fri- 
day, the 23d and 24th, and arranged for the Byfield school 
building to be open to visitors on Friday and Saturday, 24th 
and 25th of September. 

Thursday, the 23d of September, was appointed for the 
illumination of the town, and the citizens generally were in- 
vited to illuminate their residences on that evening. 

Arrangements were made for lighting the main tent by 
electric lights, and for a promenade concert by the bands, 
as the closing exercises of the day. 

Early in July a communication was received tendering the 
room of the B. Y. M. Christian Association in Rogers Free 
Library building, for the use of the general and executive 



12 BI-CENTEXNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

committee, which was accepted with thanks, and thereafter 
used and made general headquarters. Before that time the 
committee had used the Town Hall and Council Chamber for 
their meetings, through the courtesy of the Town Council. 
The Town Council also kindly placed the Town Hall in pos- 
session of the Loan Exhibition Committee from INIonday, 
September 20th, to Tuesday, 28th, inclusive. 

It comino; to the knowledo-e of the committee that the Prov- 
idence Light Infantry Veteran Association contemplated 
visiting Bristol on September 24th, it was voted that the 
chairman of the committee be requested to communicate to 
said Association that the committee would be much pleased 
to have them join in the procession on that day, and to accept 
such courtesies upon the occasion as might be in the power 
of the committee to extend to them. 

The mansion house of Mrs. Julia S. Perry, at Silver 
Creek, was the first, or one of the first, houses built in the 
town, and in the southwest parlor the first religious meeting 
was held. A note from Mrs. Peny was received by the 
committee, kindly offering to open her house for the recep- 
tion of such visitors as might desire to call on the day of the 
celebration. Notice of this invitation was given in the Bris- 
tol Phenix. 

The following circular was prepared and sent to every 
absent Son and Daughter whose name and address could be 
ascertained by the committee on correspondence : 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



13 




1680 ^ ^\l(mk?Ai 1880 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF THE TOWN OF BRISTOL. 

The Town of Bristol, having determined to celebrate her Two Hun- 
dredth Anniversary, has set apart Friday, the 24th day of September, 1880, 
for such commemoration. 

One pleasant and highly interesting feature of the day will be the 
Reunion of the Sons and Daughters of Bristol. As one of them, you are 
cordially invited to be present, and unite with us in making the occarsion 
•worthy of the Town and of its history. A warm and hearty Avelcorae will 
greet you. 

In behalf of the Bi-Centennial Committee. 

Le Baron B. Colt, 

President. 



Many matters of detail were refeiTed to the Executive 
Committee, such as the order of exercises in the main tent, 
and at the dinner table, the audit of bills, all printing, the 
preparation of suitable badges, the selection of invited guests, 
etc. They were also requested to obtain the names of visit- 
ing Sons and Daughters. 

A list of about one hundred names of invited guests was 
prepared and accepted, and a copy of the following circular 
sent to each : 



14 



EI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



1680 




1880 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF THE TOWN OF BRISTOL. 

Bristol, R. I., September 1st, 1880. 

The Town of Bristol having set apart Friday, the 24th day of Septem- 
ber, 1880, to celebrate the Two Hundredth Anniversary of its settlement, 
the Committee appointed for the purpose, have the honor to invite you to 
be present on that day as the guest of the Town. 

A favorable and early reply will oblige, 

Very Respectfully Yours, 

Lr Baron B. Colt, 
WiM. J. Miller, 
Edward S. Bahbitt, 

Committee. 



The Committee on Instrumental Music, early reported 
that they had engaged the services of the Bristol Cornet 
Band, and the Boston Brigade Band. The same committee 
also arranged for the salutes and ringing of bells. 

The Committee on Vocal Music reported that through the 
courtesy and hearty co-operation of the School Committee, 
about three hundred pupils of the public schools were, under 
the supervision of Mrs. S. B. Spinning, practising several 
original odes to be sung on the day of the celebration. 

Mr. Babbitt, from the Committee on Badges, reported 
with samples, which were adopted, and the Committee was 
instructed to procure the number required. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 15 

The Committee on Tents and Dinner reported that they 
had contracted for two tents, to be set up on the Common, 
near the line of State street. The main tent for the literary 
exercises to be 80 by 200 feet, with seats for 5,000 persons, 
and a platform for the seating of the committee and invited 
iruests. The dinner tent to be 50 by 300 feet. They 
further reported that they had contracted with L. A. Tilling- 
Inist, the well known caterer of Providence, to furnish din- 
ner for one thousand persons. 

The Committee on Decorations reported, that they had 
contracted with the veteran decorator. Col. William Beals, 
of Boston, to decorate the public buildings of the town. 

Arrangements were made with the Chief Engineer of the 
Fire Department, to have the several Fire Engine Houses 
and Pumping Station open to visitors. 

All these reports were accepted and approved by the 
Executive and General Committees, and as the day ap- 
proached, all matters were in a forward state of preparation. 

The large number of strange faces to be seen on the streets 
of the town indicate how promptly and heartily absent sons 
and daughters have responded to the call to return to the old 
hearth stone. Hearty greetings are exchanged on every 
hand, and many incidents of early life and childhood sports 
are rehearsed. Oh ! how the old days come back with all 
their precious memories. The intervening space of ten, 
twenty, thirty, fort}^ aye fifty years, seems but a dream 
now, and we are children again, and in the dear old home. 

On Wednesday, Septenjber 22nd, the Loan Exhibition in 
Town Hall was opened to the public, and attracted gi-eat 
interest. To John DeA^^olf the credit is due for the large 
number of portraits and other interesting relics gathered, 
and the good taste displayed in their grouping and arrange- 
ment. 

Thursday, September 23rd, opened bright and mild, and 
during the day many visiting Sons and Daughters airived 
by boat and tmin. A more beautiful evening for the illu- 



16 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

mination could not be desired. It was so calm that a lighted 
taper could have been carried through the streets. The 
decorations and illuminations were general — almost universal 
— so much so, that to mention any without naming all, seems 
almost invidious. 

The Providence Journal of September 24th, contained the 
following article on 

" Bristol's bi-centennial. 

" GRAND ILLUMINATION AND ELABORATE DECORATION OF THE TOWN. 
ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING OF HER SONS AND DAUGHTERS. 

" Ye ancient towne of Bristol is stirred to its utmost depths 
on the occasion of its two hundredth anniversary, and a visit 
to the usually staid and unobtrusive old town yesterday 
afternoon and evening, would have convinced a stranger 
within its gates that the bustle and excitement that pervaded 
its streets and places of business, betokened its metropolitan 
character and enterprise. The trains and steamboats brought 
loads of people, as well as vehicles of all descriptions, from 
the surrounding country, and it was estimated that at even- 
tide, in addition to a majority of its six thousand inhabitants, 
there were upwards of two thousand strangers and natives 
upon the streets and in the town. The applications for 
badges and dinner tickets, by sons and daughters, reached 
three or four hundred during the day, and the latch-strings 
on the outside of dwelling houses were remarkably numerous. 
There has been a wide-spread and hearty response to the in- 
vitations extended by the committees and townsmen, and the 
exercises of to-day will attract many thousands. 

"illumination of the town. 

" The obsei-vance of the bi-centennial anniversary began last 
evening with a magnificent and extensive illumination and 
decoration of the town in patriotic dress, and residents vied 
with each other in the elaborateness and brilliancy of their 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 17 

displays at their residences and places of business. Col. 
Reals, of Boston, and J. Harry Welch, of Providence, lent 
tJioir experience and good taste in the combination of colors 
and appropriate designs, and it was noticeable that excellent 
laste and discrimination in the arrangement and selection of 
material Avas shown by the townsmen. Where the display 
on all of the public thoroughfares was so brilliant and im- 
posing, it would require unlimited space to particularize even 
the most prominent and artistic demonstrations of public 
spirit and pride. Hope street, which may be termed the 
'Broadway' of the town, was radiant with the glow of 
myriads of lanterns and transparencies, while colored lights 
and bonfires were shown on the corners of the intersecting 
streets in lavish profusion. The residences of James DeWolf 
Perry, Philip Bourn, and Col. C. A. Greene, of the Phenix, 
shone gayly in their dress of national colors in bunting, with 
lanterns and transparencies prettily arrayed, and the Hydrau- 
lion Engine Company displayed an elaborate fire scene in 
front of their house, with lanterns and bunting, and ' Wel- 
come,' in gold lettering. On Franklin street, from High to 
Hope street, long lines of lanterns, bunting and transpar- 
encies, greeted the eye. Mrs. Babbitt made a handsome 
display of colored lights and transparencies, and Captain 
( Collins transformed his house and glrounds into a national 
garden, with its rows of lanterns across the piazza, and flags 
of all descriptions suspended about the i)remises. Wm. J. 
Miller and J. Howard Manchester made handsome displays, 
and at the Rogers Library lights gleamed from every win- 
dow, while shields, bunting and festoons were gracefully 
arranged in its front. In front of the elegant residence of 
(Jol. S. Pomroy Colt, a dense crowd was assembled, and one 
involuntarily paused to admire the magnificent display. A 
large flag floated from a pole on top of the house, and a 
golden eagle was poised on the roof, holding in her beak the 
streamers and bunting which completely enveloped the front 
3 



18 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL.- 

of the house. A ciystal refractor emitted prismatic lights 
from its station on the piazza-roof, and the pillars were en- 
twined with tri-colored streamers. Two knights in full 
armor stood on either side of the portal, and a revolutionary 
soldier in a medallion frame stood above the State seal, with 
Hags on both sides of the entrance. The grounds were bril- 
liantly illuminated with lanterns, and over the postern was 
the inscription, 'Welcome, our Governor.' Locomotive 
head-lights turned their full radiance on the building, and 
colored fires added to the superb efiect of the scene. Capt. 
Norris, corner of Plope and State streets, made a pretty dis- 
play, and the Bristol Hotel was gayly trimmed and illumi- 
nated. The post office was dressed from roof to basement 
in festoons and streamers, held in the beak of a noble eagle. 
The residence of Edward W. Brunsen was greatly admired, 
tjie stars and stripes and scores of lanterns making the 
grounds and interior singularly beautiful. Capt. Lawless 
illuminated his handsome residence, and displayed mottoes 
and bunting, while the dazzling lights of locomotive head- 
lights made the grounds of Col. A. C. Eddy as bright as 
day, and set off his decorations to the best advantage. The 
h'ght of colored fires was reflected on the waters of the har- 
bor and the craft anchored therein, and produced a charming 
scene. Hon. Augustus O. Bourn and Le Baron B. Colt, Esq. , 
illuminated their residences, and the latter made a splendid 
display of flags and bunting. W. H. Manchester's store, 
and the house of the Dreadnaught Hose Company, with its 
triple row of torches, emitted a brilliant light. At the By- 
tield School the decorations were beautifully arranged, a 
hu-ge picture being stationed over the porch, w^ith mottoes, a 
figure of the goddess of liberty, streamers and bunting. 
The Thompson Brothers made a brilliant showing, and on 
the east side of the Common strings of lanterns were observed 
reaching its ent^ire length. The Court House was finely 
decorated, the greeting, ' We greet the present and remem- 
ber the absent,' being conspicuously posted over the en- 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 19 

trance, and a profusion of tri-colorcJ streamers and flags 
prettily draped. At Masonic Hall the flags and emblems of 
the Order were suspended across the street. The residence 
of the Town Clerk, Peter Gladding, was elaborately dressed 
and brilliantly illuminated with lanterns. It was utterly 
impossible to hire a conveyance in Bristol or Warren dur- 
ing the afternoon, and the stable keepers turned away hun- 
dreds of applicants to house their teams. A continuous 
stream of vehicles of all descriptions passed along the 
road between Providence and Bristol during the afternoon 
and evening, and an extra train was run from Warren to 
Bristol to accommodate the excursionists. It was a gala 
night for Bristol, and it will live long in the memories of the 
oldest inhabitant and risins: generation, as the o-randest dis- 
play of public spirit and enthusiastic pride in its ancient and 
honorable history." 

The Providence Press account, from their regular Bristol 
correspondent, describes "the scene on Hope, State and 
Bradfords streets, as very beautiful. Colored fires, burning 
barrels, and fireworks of all descriptions, with the brilliant 
illuminations, called forth the warmest praises from the 
assembled thousands on the streets. As we passed down 
Hope street, the New York Store, John G. Sparks, propri- 
etor, attracted much attention from the very elaborate deco- 
ration and the magnificent display of lanterns, while the 
large show window contained the goddess of liberty, very 
artistically and elaborately dressed. This store attracted 
general attention from all passers. Thompson's boot and 
shoe store looked finely, as did the Boston Store and others. 
The humble cottage of the widow, with its one light placed 
in the window^ to show her interest, though but a mite as 
compared with the outlay made by those near by, was appre- 
ciated by all who passed that way." 

The Town Hall was decorated on the outside with flags 
and streamers, but the great attraction was the relics gath- 
ered within its walls. 



20 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

The Post Office and Custom House building was also 
elaborately dressed in flags and streamers. The Pre.s.<t 
names other places illuminated as follows : — "King Philip 
Steam Fire Engine House, No. 1, Hugh Holmes' market, 
George H. Farrington's store, and the residences of Dr. 
Canfield, William Pierce, William B. Kimball, and the 
Misses Codman." 

In addition, the Bristol Pheiiix gives the following list of 
residences decorated and illuminated : 

"James M. Giflbrd, Dr. L. W. Briggs, Mrs. R. D. Smith, 
Mrs. Henry Wardwell, James A. Miller, George W. Easter- 
brooks, Otis Munro, Rev. Dr. W. V. Morrison, Col. E. M. 
Wardwell, Baptist parsonage, William H. Spooner, N. S. 
Burnham, Bennett J. Munro, Charles A. Johnson, Horace 
M. Barns, Isaac F. Williams, Edward S. Babbitt, Andrew 
R. Trotter, Henry R. Cooke, Benjamin B. Morris, JohnW". 
Munro, Frederic A. Easterbrooks, Ozro C. Barrows, George 
H. Farrington, Miss Sarah Cutler, Samuel B. Spinning, 
Robert N. Church, Major Henry Goft", Augustus N. JSIiller, 
Dr. T. S. Shipman, James D. Wardwell, Jesse Wilson, and 
the stores of Richard Dunbar, Samuel Corwin, Charles A. 
Johnson ; the Phenix office, the stores of J. H. Young & 
Co., George W. Easterbrooks, Misses Thompson and Hun- 
newell, Benjamin M. Lincoln, Frederic A. Easterbrooks. 
Thomas C. Church, David A. Pierce, Louis Kunze, John 
Connery, John Lake, Benjamin L. West, Wm. Fred. Fish. 
William H. Buffington, William H. Bell, and Allen M. 
Newman." 

The correspondents of these papers worked industriously 
and gave very full reports, but many places deserving of 
notice doubtless escaped attention. 

The morning of the 24th, the eventful day which had 
been so long anticipated, broke bright and clear, with a 
mild, genial air, and throngs of people were early astir to 
join in the festivities. 

At sunrise,' a national salute of thirty-eight guns was 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 21 

tired on the common, by the Bristol Train of Artillery, un- 
der the direction of Col. R. B. Franklin. Bells of the 
cKurches were rung for one hour, commencing at the time 
of firing the salute. 

The steamer from Newport was one of the first arrivals, 
and landed about one hundred and fifty persons, and throngs 
continued to arrive by boat, train and other conveyances, 
until, at the time fixed for the procession to form it was esti- 
mated that there were fully six thousand strangers in the 
town. The Town Hall was early filled with interested 
visitors, and continued to attract large crowds throughout 
tlie day and evening. 

THE PROCESSION. 

At 10| o'clock A. M., the procession was formed on High 
street, in front of the Court House, right resting on State 
street, in the following order : 

Police skirmishers. Platoon of Providence Police. 

Chief Marshal— Col. S. P. Colt. 

Aids — Capt. John Collins, Mark A. DeWolf, Frederick F. 
Gladding, James A. Renwick, Benjamin L. West, Capt. 
Charles Norris, Col. T. F. Usher, James C. Church, Henry 
M. Gibson, J. Howard Manchester, Wilfred H. Munro, 
Charles Paull, Robert D. Andrews. 

FiusT Division. 

Marshal — Col. George O. Eddy. 

Aids — P. L. Garrett, Orrin Wilson, W. Fred Williams, 
William H. Munro. 

Bristol Cornet Band, James Allyn, leader ; C. H. Straight, 
dnim major ; 22 pieces. 

Bristol Train of Artillery, Col. Richard B. Franklin, 
commander; Lieut. -Col. Henry F. Card; Capt. William B. 
Burnham ; Lieut. Frisbie ; 50 men. 

National Band, Providence, W. E. White, leader; 2.') 
pieces. 



22 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

First Light Infantry Veteran Association Band, of Provi- 
dence, Benjamin P. Robinson, leader ; 8 pieces. 

First Light Infantry Veteran Association, Providence — 
Col. W. W. Brown, commanding ; Adjt. Dan. Remington ; 
75 men, in three companies — two in uniforms and one not 
uniformed. 

First Company — Capt. Eddy; Lieuts. Greene and Brad- 
ford. 

Second Company — Capt. Potter; Lieuts. Anthony and 
Bradford. 

Third Company — Gen. William R. Walker. 

Bristol Light Infantry — Capt. Michael Cahill ; Lieuts. 
Dwyer and Brunnell ; 25 men. 

Second Division. 

Marshal — Col. George T. French. 

Aids — Edward F. Lucas, Maj. Wm. P. Merritt, Edward 
Coward, A. L. Howe. 

Company of gentlemen dressed in ye ancient [)ilgrim cos- 
tume, formed in a hollow square, in the centre of Avhich was 
borne the flag presented to the town by Colonel Byfield in 
the year 1710. Color-bearer — A. B. Corthell. 

Twenty carriages containing President and members of 
Town Council of Bristol — C. A. Greene, A. J. Trotter, 
Henry Gofl*, Samuel M. Lindsey, Hezekiah W. Church ; 
His Excellency, Governor Littlefield ; Ilis Honor, Lieuten- 
ant-Governor Fay, Adjutant General Barney and LeBaron 
B. Colt, Esq., Chairman of the Bi-Centennial Committee; 
Hon. Joshua M. Addeman, Secretary of State; Hon. Sam- 
uel Clark, General Treasurer ; Hon. Joel M. Spencer, State 
Auditor; Hon. Thos. B. Stockwell, Commissioner of Public 
Schools ; Hon. Thomas W. Bicknell, former Commissioner of 
Public Schools ; Cols. Pierce, Littlefield, Clarke and Francis, 
of the Governor's personal staflf; Quartermaster-General Den- 
nis and Col. J . C. Seabury ; Surgeon-General Budlong, Assist- 
ant Adjutant-General Turner, and Assistant Quartermaster- 



BI-CENTENKIAL OF BRISTOL. 23 

(xeiieral Nickerson ; Prof. J. Lewis Diman, of Providence, 
orator ; Rt. Rev. Bishop Howe, of Central Pennsylvania, 
poet; Rev. George L. Locke, chaplain; Hon. Henry B. 
Anthony ; Hons. Nelson W. Aldrich and L. W. Ballou, 
Representatives in Cong-ress ; Hon. JohnH. Stiness, Judge 
of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island ; Col. T. W. Hig- 
ginson, Senior Aid of the Governor of Massachusetts ; Rt. 
Rev. T. M. Clark, Bishop of the Diocese of Rhode Island 
an .1 Chaplain of the First Light Infantry Veteran Associa- 
tion of Providence ; His Honor H. K. Oliver, Mayor of 
Salem, Mass., a descendant of Nathaniel Oliver; Hon. 
Francis Brinley, of Newport, a descendant of Nathaniel 
By field ; Hon. Zaohariah Allen, of Providence, President of 
the Rhode Island Historical Society ; Hon. Amos Perry, 
Secretary of the Rhode Island Historical Society ; Rev, S. H. 
Webb, Chaplain First Battalion Rhode Island Militia ; Ex- 
Governor Van Zandt ; His Honor Thomas A. Doyle, Mayor of 
Providence ; His Honor Stephen P. Slocum, Mayor of New- 
port ; Ex-Lieutenant Governor Charles R. Cutler, President 
of the Town Council of Warren ; Henry F. Drown, EzraM. 
Martin and George Smith, of the Town (^ouncil of Warren, 
and Nathaniel Peck and Mark H. Wood, of the Barrington 
Town Council ; Rev. Dr. Robinson, President of Brown 
University ; Hon. Rowland Hazard, of South Kingstown ; 
Prof. Jencks, of Brown University, and Rueben A. Guild, 
liibrarian of Brown University ; Hon. Rowland G. Hazard, 
of South Kingstown ; Prof. William Gammell, of Provi- 
dence ; Hon. William Goddard, of Providence ; Rev. Joel 
Mann, of New Haven, Conn. ; Rev. Francis Peck, of Balti- 
more, Md. ; Rev. Thomas F. Fales, of Waltham, Mass. ; 
Rev. James P. Lane, of Hyde Park, Mass. ; Rev. Mark 
Ti-apnell, former rector of St. Michael's Church, Bristol ; 
Rev. Benjamin B. Babbitt, of Columbia, S. C. ; Rev. C. B. 
Peny, associate rector of Mount Calvary Church, Baltimore ; 
Rev. W. J. Tilley, of Middletown, Vt. ; Rev. Dr. W. V. 
Morrison, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Bristol ; Rev. 



24 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

J. H. Johnson, rector Trinity Church, Bristol ; Rev. H. 
Crocker, pastor of the Baptist Church, Bristol ; Lewis T. 
Fisher, Sheriff of Bristol county ; II- H. Luther, Town Clerk 
of AYarren ; Peter Gladding, Town Clerk of Bristol ; William 
R. Taylor, Deputy Town Clerk ; Hon. Charles H. Hardy, 
of Warren, State Senator; John C. Burrington, Esq., of 
Barrington, Representative in the General Assembly ; Wil- 
liam H. Spooner, Esq., Representative in the General As- 
sembly, from Bristol, and others. 

Four trees, which were subsequently planted on the com- 
mon, to the memory of the four original proprietors of the 
town, on a carriage prej^ared for the purpose. 

Thikd Division. 

Marshal — Isaac F. Williams. 

Aids — Charles Hosmer, W. Russell Bogert, John H. 
Smith, Charles A. Waldron, Preston E. Day. 

Boston Cadet Band, J. Thomas Baldwin, leader ; 26 pieces. 

Chief Engineer of the F^ire Department — J. Howard 
Manchester. Assistants — Charles FI. Allen, George W. 
Simmons. 

Hydraulic Engine and Hose Co., No. 1, Capt. Eugene 
Rounds ; 25 men and their machine. 

Progress Fire Company, of New Bedford, Mass., Charles 
S. Paisler, Foreman. 

King Philip Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 1, Robert Lawder, 
Acting Foreman ; 15 men with the machine. 

Dreadnaught Hook, Ladder and Hose Co., No. 1, Charles 
E. Card, Captain ; 25 men, with the hose carriage. 

FoiTHTii Division. 

Marshal — Charles V. Perry. 

Aids — N. R. Middleton, James Gooding, Lewis DcWolf, 
Ricardo D. B. Smith. 

Bristol Bi-Centennial Drum Coi-ps, Capt. George Warren ; 
8 drums. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 25 

Sons and djuigliters of Bristol, under charge of Col. E. 
M. Ward well. 

Cavalcade of citizens, in which conspicuously appeared 
(Jen. A. E. Burnside, under command of Chandler H. 
(bo'ffeshall. Aids— Wilfred H. Munro, Frank J. Gladding. 

FiFTji Division. 

Marshal— Hon. William T. C. Wardwell. 
Aids— James D. Wardwell, Jr., Edward Anthony, Jr., 
James M. Usher, Charles F. Chase. 

trades' puocession. 
Team of Boston Store, T. T, Allan, proprietor, a line dis- 
play of goods ; wagon of Adams Express Company tilled 
witii boxes, trunks, etc. ; team of W. T. C. Wardwell, con- 
taining lumber of all kinds, doors, blinds, etc. ; team of the 
Reynolds Manufacturing Company containing cotton in all 
processes of manufacture ; Singer Sewing Machine team ; 
M. A. Card's local express wagon, with boxes, packages, 
etc. ; N. N. Cole's display of coal, flour, grain, hay, vege- 
tables and all sorts of produce, wdth flags and national bunt- 
ing ; market Avagon of Hugh Holmes, full of provisions ; 
display of the Herreshotf Manufacturing Company, com- 
pound engines, boilers, etc. ; paints and oils, display by 
William H. Spooner ; grocery w^agon of Thompson Brothers ; 
large wagon of boots and shoes, from C. H. Thompson ; 
wheelbarrow, from the market of W. Fred Fish, as showing 
how the business was conducted wdien he started in business 
in 1869, follow^ed by a wagon well filled with orders as 
showing hoW' the business is conducted to-day ; two wagons 
containing dry and fancy goods, and clothing, from J. G. 
Sparks ; wagon containing stoves, from Richard S. Glad- 
ding ; wagon of F. A. Geisler, containing a blacksmith's 
forge, anvil, etc. ; and showing the different processes in 
the manufticture of carriages; team of William Johnson, 
harness maker, with a good display of trunks, harnesses, 
4 



26 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

etc. ; boat on wheels, gaily trimmed with national colors and 
evergreen, containing several young ladies and a display of 
millinery trimmings, from Misses Thompson and Hunne well ; 
display of drugs, perfumery and fancy goods, from J. H. 
Young & Co.'s ; stoves, pumps, etc., from J. Howard 
Manchester, dealer in stoves and tinware ; a small house on 
wheels made of national bunting, with doors, windows, 
blinds, etc., from Marshall Prarie, contractor and builder; 
two large wagons, finely decoi-ated, from the National Rub- 
ber Company, well filled with a variety of goods of their 
make ; farm wagon filled with all sorts of farm produce, H. 
M. Gibson ; two ice carts and a milk wagon, from J. Good- 
ing. All the teams were more or less decked with flags and 
l)unting in the national colors. 

The procession commenced to move about 11 1 o'clock. 

The line of march was as follows : High street to Franklin, 
Franklin to Hope, Hope to Walley, Walley to High, High 
to Church, Church to Wood, Wood to State, State to the 
tent on Common, where the exercises in the tent were held. 

The tent was reached about one o'clock. Most of the 
prominent guests from the carriages took seats on the plat- 
form. The Town Committee of Arrangements were also 
seated upon the platform, forming, with the invited guests, 
a group of some two hundred persons. As the exercises 
were about to commence, the venerable and Rt. Rev. Benja- 
min B. Smith, Senior Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church, of the United States, a native of Bristol, came in and 
was seated upon the platform. His very presence was a 
benediction. 

More than five thousand people filled the tent to over- 
flowing. 

T'he exercises were as follows : 

ORDER OF EXERCISES. 

" Overture to William Tell," by the Boston Cadet Band. 
Prayer, by Rev. George L. Locke. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 27 

Le Baron B. Colt, Esq., President of the Bi-ccntenniul 
Committee, made an addi-ess, as folloAvs : 

ADDRESS of WELCOME. 

It is my pleasant duty, on behalf of the town, to welcome 
you, one and all, sons and daughters of old Bristol, invited 
guests and friends. This is the native town of most of you, 
the adoi)ted town of others, the loved and respected town of 
all ; and here upon this, her two-hundredth birth-day, in 
honor of her long life, of what she has been and is to all of 
us, you come from far and near to join us in laying these 
offerings of affection at her feet. 

Her history, her early and romantic past, the circumstances 
of her settlement by our ancestors, the story of her life dur- 
ing two eventful centuries, her rapid and prosperous growth 
at the beginning, the commercial importance she once at- 
tained, the calamities by wars, tire and tempest she has suf- 
fered, this and much more will be told you in prose and verse 
from the lips of her most distinguished children. It only 
remains, therefore, for me to welcome you to all the enjoy- 
ments of this day — to the sight once more of these goodly 
Mount Hope lands, these pleasant waters, this beautiful 
prospect, these broad streets, with their archway of noble 
trees, these old churches and homesteads, with the many 
memories they call back into life. May your stay among us 
be as happy as you anticipate. May you find the town as 
fair as when you left her, and her people as worthy of her. 

The dwellers upon this territory have always regarded it 
with a peculiar devotion. The AVampanoags of old returned 
to this spot with pride and pleasure, cherished it beyond all 
others, made it their kingly seat, clung to it until conquest 
and death, and we in the same spirit of devotion have met 
to-day. 

The Chief Executive of the State, those who represent us 
in the councils of the nation, the representatives of our cities, 



28 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

colleges and historical societies, and other distinguished gen- 
tlemen from neiMiboring States and from our own, have hon- 
ored us with their presence upon this occasion. To all these 
we extend a cordial greeting. May the exercises of this day 
serve to deepen our attachment for the town, our reverence 
for its history, and make us better and more worthy citizens. 

Two hundred and fift}'^ children of the public schools, 
under the direction of Mrs. S. B. Spinning, then sang the 
following invocation ode, written for the occasion l)y Abby 
D. Munro : 

INVOCATION ODE. 

Oh, Thou, within whose bouutoous hand. 
The circling years in order stand, 
A thousand years within whose sight. 
Are as the watch of one lone night; 

To thee our tribute now we bring. 
Let every tongue thy praises sing. 
"While homage to thy name we pay, 
For this returning festal day. 

When first our fathers sought a home. 
Thy blessing on their choice was shown. 
Thou mad'st the wilderness they chose. 
To bud and blossom as the rose. 

What wonders has thy goodness wrought ! 
What changes has thy wisdom brought ! 
Who has made these blessings to abound. 
And all these years with plenty crowned. 

Our Father, and our father's God! 
Oh, be thy glorious name adored ! 
Now, and through each succeeding age, 
For such a goodly heritage. 

The following congratulatory telegrams were received : 
"Received at Bristol, R. I., 8.42 a. m. Sept. 21th, 1880. 
To Bi-Ceritennial Committee, Bristol, Rhode Island: 
With best felicitations. 

Dim AN. 
Lisbon." 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 29 

" Santa Fe, N. M., Sept. 23rd, 1880. 
Received at Bristol, R. I., 8.40 a. m , Sept. 24th. 
To Le B. B. Colt: 

Regretting distance prevents attendance, I send greetings from the far 
Southwest. 

L Brauford Pri>'ce." 

The first telegi-am was from Henry Wight Diinan, Esq., 
United States Consul at Lisbon, Portugal. He has been in 
Europe eighteen years. 

Mr. Prince is Chief Justice of the United States Court of 
New Mexico. 

Prof. J. Lewis Dimax, the orator of the day, delivered 
the following address : 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 



We have met to commemorate the founding of this ancient 
town. Two hundred years have fled since the hearths of our 
fathers were pLmted here. Well nigh seven generations 
have completed their mortal term since these broad streets 
were opened, since this spacious common, on which we are 
gathered, was set apart for public use. As we enter upon 
the third century of our history, we pause, for a brief space, 
to confess the debt which every community that has done 
anything worthy of remembrance owes to itself, and which 
no community swayed by generous sentiments, and mindful 
of its own best interests, can refuse to pay. There is no 
more becoming impulse than that which brings us hither. The 
most elevated instincts of our nature are enlisted in such a 
service. The deep and wide-spread interest which this occa- 
sion has awakened, this great multitude before me, afford 
convincing proof that we are not insensible to the obligations 
which our connection with a community like this imposes. 
We have gladly heeded the summons to this festival ; we 
have trodden with willing feet these familiar paths. It is a 
festival in which we cannot join without emotion. It has 
for all of xis a meaning which no ordinary festival can have. 
Amid the ringing of bells, and the inspiring strains of music, 
we can none of us forget that we have come to a spot hal- 
lowed by our most affecting memories. Here we were born ; 
here by the lireside we heard the first accents of affection : 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 31 

liere in the school-room we learned our earliest lessons ; here 
in the house of God we were taui^ht the consolinir truths that 
alone compensate for the losses Avhich a day like this brings 
so vividly to mind. A eloud of witnesses, invisible to mor- 
tal eye, look down upon us. Everything around us invests 
tliese services with an exalted and religious sentiment. 
There are no ties more sacred than those of which we are now^ 
reminded. "We have come to the home of our childhood ; to 
the graves of our fathers. The words of Holy Writ leap un- 
bidden to our lips : "If I forget Thee, may my right hand 
forget her cunning ; if I do not remember Thee, may my 
tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth ! " 

The circumstances under which we meet may well call for 
our heai-tfelt gratulation. We have come to a spot beautiful 
for situation, lovely indeed at all times, but never more lovely 
than at this season, when lingering summer bathes the land- 
scape in the pensive beauty that so well befits the strain of 
thought in which we cannot help indulging. We have come 
at a time when w' e may turn without effort from our common 
avocations and cares, a time of great prosperity, when our 
land is teeming with abundant harvests, when, after years of 
weary depression, commerce and industry show everywhere 
signs of healthy revival, wiien our public credit is restored, 
when peace reigns in all our l)orders. No dreg of bitterness 
poisons our overflow ing cup. Nor should the fact that we are 
now engaged in one of the great periodical contests which 
determine the political character of our government, when 
throughout its length and breadth the land is stirred with 
the eager strife of conflicting pai-ties, lessen in the least our 
interest in these services. To one who rightly apprehends 
the nature of our political system, and who correctly esti- 
mates the real sources of its strength, they will seem invested 
with additional significance. For even amid the excitement 
of a national election, and Avith the inspiring spectacle before 
us, of fifty millions of freemen choosing their chief magistrate 
under the wise and regulated restraints of constitutional law% 



32 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

we may well turn our gaze, for a few moments, to those an- 
cient sources from which the broad stream of our national 
life has flowed ; we may well remind ourselves that our local 
institutions form, at once, the foundation and safeguard of 
our federal system ; that from the broad supi^ort of number- 
less scattered municipalities like this, whose founding we 
commemorate to-day, springs the splendid arch that gilds 
with promise the future of American civilization. Let us 
never forget that American liberty had its cradle in towns ; 
that here the earliest lessons of self-government were learned. 
And let us rest assured that long as the traditions of these 
local rights are zealously cherished, American liberty will 
never be subverted. 

Nor can I count it inopportune that our services so nearly 
coincide, in point of time, with the great and splendid com- 
memoration, which, during the past week, has concentrated 
the gaze of the entire nation upon the chief city of New En- 
gland. At first sight, indeed, it may well seem that our 
modest festival cannot fail to suffer from too close proximity 
to another so similar as to provoke comparison, and yet so 
much more impressive in its historical associations, and so 
much more elaborate in its attending circumstances. Still 
even this seeming disadvantage, when we reflect a moment, 
gives additional meaning to our celebration. There is a 
peculiar fitness in having one so soon succeed the other. 
For it serves the more forcibly to call attention to that fea- 
ture in our early history which gave this town its distinctive 
character, and drew the broad line of distinction between 
this settlement and the earlier settlements upon the shores of 
the Narragansett. It reminds us that Bristol was the off- 
spring of Boston. At the ripe age of fifty years the sturdy 
Puritan mother gave birth to this beautiful child. It was 
the sagacity of Boston merchants that first saw" the admirable 
adaptation of this commodious harbor to the purposes of 
commerce, it was the public spirit of Boston merchants that 
reserved for a remote posterity the ample provisions of these 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 33 

streets and squares, it was the intelligence and piety of Bos- 
ton merchants that planted T)y this shore the institutions of 
education and religion which their Puritan training had taught 
them to reverence, and which they brought with them to 
their ncAv home, as their most precious heritage. Here, so 
far as their circumstances would permit, they sought to build 
another Boston ; and surely as they gazed on the fair sur- 
roundings of this fiwored spot, as they surveyed the gentle 
slope of the ground, as they followed the graceful course of 
the silver bay, as they pictured, perchance, the possil)le suc- 
cess that might attend their enterprise, they may well have 
been pardoned if they sometimes exclaimed, 
O matre pulchra filia pulchrior ! 
Two hundred years do not cover a long period when we 
reckon the centuries of the world's history, j^et two hundred 
years carry us back to a time when much that now seems 
majestic and venerable, existed only in the womb of futurity. 
The faded banner that was borne in our procession to-day, 
ppecious as the gift of one of the first proprietors, is the, 
symbol of a municipal organization that went into operation 
more than a century before our Federal Constitution was 
adopted. When this town was founded, the kingdom of 
Prussia had not been established, the empire of Russia had 
!iot become a European power. Charles the Second was still 
degrading the crown of England, the fierce contest caused by 
the Exclusion Bill was rajjinff, the ofreat revolution had not 
taken place which drove the Stuarts from the throne. Our 
town government is, therefore, older than the English con- 
stitution as it now exists, older than the Bill of Rights, older 
than the Act of Settlement, older than the great division of 
parties that ran through the reigns of Anne and the Georges, 
olderthan the England of Bolingbroke, of Walpole and of Pitt. 
Two hundred years of the quiet annals of a neighborhood 
like this do not, it is true, appeal to the imagination like 
two hundred years of the history of a famous State. The 



34 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

stage is small, and the interests seem trivial, the actors are 
not heroes and statesmen and kings. But it is, after all, a 
history that touches us more nearly than the plots of rulers, 
or the devastating march of armies. It is the history of the 
human life which we all are leading. And when we reflect 
what two hundred years of the history of a community like 
this really represent, when we consider the inestimable ben- 
efit difiused by a well ordered social system, the wholesome 
restraints of law, the sweets of domestic life, the elevating 
influence of education, the priceless blessings of devout re- 
ligious instruction, the influence of good example transmitted 
from o-eneration to jjeneration, we shall feel that two hun- 
dred years of history like this are as worthy of our study as 
much that fills a larger and more pretentious page. 

When the first houses were built upon this spot, two of 
which still remain to attest the solid workmanship of our 
fathers, there already existed four settlements on Narragan- 
sett Bay. Forty-four years earlier Roger Williams had un- 
dertaken, upon the banks of the Mooshausic, the unique and 
memorable experiment of founding a community upon the 
principle of obedience to the civil magistrates only in civil 
things. A little later the great antinomian controversy had 
driven to the island of Aquidneck another company, who, 
planting themselves just at the northern end, had afterwards 
removed to the unrivalled harbor which excited the admira- 
tion of the Florentine navigator, Verazzano, more than a 
century before ; and almost directly opposite, upon the 
western shore of the bay, that singular enthusiast, Samuel 
Gorton, after coming into collision with the authorities both 
at Providence and Newport, had founded Warwick. In the 
year 16 03 the three settlements had been imited under the 
charter of Charles the Second. 

The course of events which reserved this territory for a 
later occupation, and for a diflfcrent jurisdiction, forms one 
of the most interesting chapters in the history of New En- 
gland. The neck of land on which this town was built, called 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 35 

by the English Mount Hope, but known to the Indians as 
Pokanoket, was the last recognized possession of the abo- 
rigines in this portion of the country. Here was their final 
refuge ; here began the great struggle which resulted in their 
overthroAV ; here was witnessed the last tragic act in the 
bloody strife. I shall not transgress the proper limits of 
my subject if I glance briefly at events which were directly 
connected with the founding of the toAvn, and which explain 
the distinctive characteristics of its early history. It is only 
from a review of these events that we can understand how 
this community presented, at the outset, such marked contrast 
to the other settlements upon our bay. 

Whether, as has been claimed by enthusiastic Scandina- 
vian scholars, the Northmen ever visited these shores, is a 
question we need not discuss. There seems, indeed, no rea- 
son to doubt the substantial truth of the narratives which 
describe the adventurous voyages of Biorne, and Leif and 
Thorfinn ; we may accept without hesitation, the claim that 
they discovered Greenland, that they cruised along the coast 
of Labrador and Nova Scotia, that they pursued their dan- 
gerous navigation as far south as Cape Cod and Narragansett 
Bay. But when we seek from au}^ of their own statements, 
to determine the precise localities they visited, we are in- 
volved in insuperable difficulties. The attempt from a pas- 
sage of doubtful meaning respecting the length of the day 
at Vinland, where they wintered, to identify its latitude with 
Rhode Island, can hardly be accepted as conclusive. The most 
that we can safely say, is, that they may have been here ; that 
there is nothing improbable in the supposition that they may 
have found in this bay their winter refuge. But if they did 
they left no trace behind them. Their daring enterprise had 
no influence whatever upon subsequent events. To sup- 
pose, as some have done, that the name of the neighboring 
summit is the corruption of the Norse word with which they 
marked their resting place, and that it was preserved in the 
traditions of an alien race for more than six hundred years, 



36 Bl-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

is to carry credulity beyond the limit of common sense. We 
may please ourselves with the fancy that the dark barks 
which arrested the troubled graze of Charlemao;ne, which at a 
later period carried terror to the coasts of France, and 
pushed up the Seine to the very gates of Paris, may have 
anchored in these waters ; a halo of romance will surround 
these shores if we connect them with those adventurous 
vikings ; but the course of events that claims our serious at- 
tention belongs to a far later period. Let us leave these 
obscure legends and pass to the region of unquestioned fact. 
We shall tind enough here to invest this familiar region with 
a sino^ular and endurinfi: interest. 

At the beginning of the authentic history of our town, 
we are confronted with the most venerable figure among the 
aborigines of New England. When the Pilgrims landed at 
Plymouth, they were told that the desolate region around 
them belonged to the great sachem, Massasoit, whose sway 
extended from Cape Cod to the shores of the Narragansett. 
With him their first treaty was concluded. In an unfinished 
building near Plymouth, the floor spread with a rug and 
cushion to give dignity to the proceedings, were conducted 
the simple negotiations which are memorable as the begin- 
ning of American diplomacy. The treaty was one of alli- 
ance, and not one of subjection, and the sachem was assured 
that "King James would esteem him as his friend and ally." 
In the following summer, the first passed by the Pilgrims in 
New England, envoys were sent by the colonists to visit the 
sachem at Pokanoket. The narrative of this visit, the earli- 
est ever made by Englishmen, of which any account has 
been preserved, while it presents a vivid picture of the 
squalid surroundings of the Wampanoag chief, furnishes at 
the same time, abundant evidence of his hospitality and 
kindness. It is impossible to read it without recognizing in 
Massasoit a genuine courtesy. His guests came upon him 
unexpectedly, and "he was both grieved and ashamed that 
he could no better entertain them." In this visit the com- 



i 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BKISTOL. 37 

pact already concluded was renewed, and the relations be- 
tween the two races thus established upon a permanent 
basis. For more than fifty years it was faithfully observed. 
Long as Massasoit lived no charge was made that its stipu- 
lations were either broken or evaded. He lived to see his 
territories melt away before the steady inroad of the whites, 
till at length at the close of his long reign, he found himself 
shut up to the narrow peninsula of Pokanoket. But he re- 
mained to the last true to the compact he had made. And 
when we remember on what flimsy pretexts the most Chris- 
tian kings of Europe, Charles II, and Louis XIV, violated 
their most sacred engagements, shall we withhold some 
tribute of respect to this pagan chief? 

With the death of the kindly and faithful Massasoit, 
we pass to the most tragic chapter of our story. The causes 
of the bloody struggle which, fifteen years later plunged' 
New England into mournino- and wrested this, their last 
refuge, from the Wampanoags, still remain obscure. From 
his first accession to power, Philip, for some reason, seems 
to have excited the suspicion of the Plymouth authorities. 
He was summoned before them, and though he earnestly 
protested that he knew of no plot nor conspiracy against 
them, he was compelled to sign an instrument l)y which he 
acknowledged himself a subject of the King of England. 
When more positive charges were brought against him, five 
years later, he repeated with great fervor his protestations 
of innocency and of faithfulness to the English. And when, 
after four j'ears more had passed, new apprehensions were 
awakened, he desired to renew his covenant with his ancient 
friends, and freely engaged to resign to the government of 
New Plymouth all his English arms. As Philip was still 
accused of evading this agreement, he was once more sum- 
moned before the authorities and compelled to acknowledge 
himself not only subject to the King of England, but to the 
government of the Plymouth colony. It is not difficult to 
conceive how this increasing pressure of a foreign authority 



38 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

must have affected a haughty spirit. The long established 
relation between Massasoit and the English was now com- 
pletely reversed. Massasoit had been treated as an equal ; 
Philip was reduced to the condition of a subject. Massasoit 
had been regarded with confidence ; Philip, whether justly 
or unjustly, was viewed with constant distrust. That the 
sachem, doubtless ignorant of the full force of the submis- 
sions he had made, and only conscious that a net was being 
skillfully woven about him, was wholly free from blame, no 
one would venture to affirm, but that the authorities of Ply- 
mouth were pushing matters with too hard a hand, was the 
manifest opinion of their Massachusetts brethren. These 
doubted whether the engagement of Philip imported more 
than "a friendly and neighborly correspondency." 

In the cabinet of the Rhode Island Historical Society there 
is preserved a curious paper which purports to give the sub- 
stance of a reply made by Philip to his friend, John Borden, 
of Portsmouth, who sought to dissuade him from engaging 
in the war. The statement was not committed to writing 
till many years after the sachem's death, and cannot claim 
the authority of an historical document. Yet undoul)tedly 
it preserves the tradition respecting the causes of the war 
that lingered in Philip's own neighborhood, and among those 
who kncAV him best. While the language belongs to a later 
period, the general representation may bo accepted as cor- 
rect. In this reply the sachem contrasts the reception which 
his father had extended to the English, with the ungenerous 
treatment to which he had been himself subjected. Un- 
founded charges had been brought against him, and he had 
been compelled to part with his territory to make restitution 
for injuries that he could not prevent. Thus tract after tract 
was gone till only a small part remained. " I am deter- 
mined," said he, "not to live till I have no country." 

That the Indians, in the main, were unfairly treated, there 
is, indeed, no evidence. Where the Pilgrims landed the 
territory had been depopulated by a pestilence, and they 



BI-CENTKNNIAL OF BRISTOL. 39 

interfered with no rights by bringing once more under culti- 
vation II desolate and deserted tract. The subsequent acqui- 
sitions of the settlers were made by purchase, to which the 
natives, for the most part, gave their free consent. And in 
their transactions the authorities took special care to guard 
the Indians from imposition. Yet the policy Avas avowed of 
crowding them upon narrow peninsulas, and they saw their 
territory continually wasting away. And it may be ques- 
tioned how far the chiefs had authority to alienate the lands 
of their tribe, and how far they understood the full meaning 
of the transfer they made. Still less could they comprehend 
the nature of the allegiance which they were compelled to swear 
to a sovereign who lived three thousand miles away. Added to 
this was the unconcealed suspicion and contempt Avith M'hich 
they were regarded, and which led the Avhites to insist stren- 
uously "on the distance which is to be observed betAvixt 
Christians and barbarians." 

It is an interesting fact that Ave find the most favorable 
representations of Philip's character in the region Avliere he 
lived, and among those Avho had the best op])ortunity for 
judging him. Thus the earliest historian of Rhode Island, 
Callender, tells us that Philip entered reluctantly upon the 
war, and that he shed tears when he heard that the first 
blood was spilled. To the same effect is the tradition of his 
gi-ateful treatment of the Leonards. Though his ordinary 
residence AA-as at Mount Hope, in the summer time he fre- 
quently found his way to Taunton. Here he became ac- 
quainted Avith this family, and received many acts of kind- 
ness at their hands. When the Avar broke out, his gratitude 
saved Taunton from destruction. "You have made him 
ready to die," said one of his men to the English commander, 
"for you have killed or taken all his relations." It has been 
urged against him as a reproach, that, when his prospect 
darkened elscAvhere, he did not join himself to the Eastern 
Indians ; but is it not a touching trait in his character, that 



40 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

when wife and child had been taken from him, he turned 
back to die in his own home ? 

It is claimed b}^ some that Philip of Pokanokct is simply 
a hero of romance ; that fancy has arrayed with tictitious 
majesty a squalid savage, whose dwelling was a sty. No 
doubt many of the representations of his character are 
incorrect. It is folly to speak of him as a great warrior, a 
penetrating statesman, a mighty prince. Such exaggerated 
language does him gross injustice, for it applies to him the 
standards of a wholly different social state. There is no 
proof that he was at the head of a great conspiracy, or that 
he possessed the capacity of inflaming his race with a com- 
mon impulse. But we are equally wide of the mark when 
we picture him, in the coarse epithets of Church, as "a dole- 
ful, great, naked, dirty beast." In spite of all detraction, 
he remains the most picturesque and striking figure in Indian 
history. His tragic fate lends a sad interest to yonder 
mount. We are standing on soil that was wrested from him ; 
we arc enjoying privileges which were purchased by his 
ruin ; but can we pass a harsh judgment on this hero of a 
lost cause, who fell, in an unequal fight, by a traitor's hand, 
and whose corpse was insulted by an ungenerous foe ? 

By the overthrow of Philip, the Mount Hope lands were, 
for the first time, thrown open to the occupation of the 
English, but the question was yet to be determined in Avhom 
the title to the newly-conquered territory was vested. The 
manner in which this question was settled forms the most 
curious episode in our early history. We can hardly fancy 
a more striking contrast than between the wilds of Pokano- 
ket and the sumptuous palace of Whitehall, between the 
stern, resolute men who were here laying the foundations 
of a new English empire, and the gay and dissolute throng 
who formed the court of Charles the Second. Our story 
carries us to the Privy Council chamber where the dull 
routine of business was at this time so often lighted up by 
the wit of Shaftesbury. Among those whose occupation it 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 41 

was to amuse the King, was a dramatic poet named John 
Crowne. He is said to have been iirst brought to the notice of 
the Queen through the dislike which Rochester cherished for 
Dryden, and to have gained the favor of the good-natured 
monarch by a mask which had been performed before the 
court. Reckoning on this favor, Crowne came forward with 
a petition for the Mount Hope kuids. His fiither, who had 
purchased an estate in Nova Scotia, liad been impoverished 
by the cession of that province to the French, and upon this 
circumstance the poet based his claim to restitution. The 
matter was brought before the Privy Council, who directed 
that, before any action should l)e taken, inquiries should be 
made respecting the title to the territory. Plymouth claimed 
the lands as lying within her patent, and in this view the 
agents of Massachusetts concurred. The two Rhode Island 
agents, on the other hand, maintained that the tract, up to 
the recent war, had belonged to the Sachem Philip, and that 
no corporation in New England had any title to it. Although 
the Plymouth authorities had sought to gain the favor of the 
King by sending to him the greater part of the ornaments 
and treasures of Philip, the Privy Council adopted the 
Rhode Island view. But, at the same time, they recom- 
mended that the lands be granted to Plymouth, reserving 
onl,y to the Crown, by way of quit rent, seven beaver skins 
to be paid yearly at Windsor Castle. No other lands in the 
colony were held upon this tenure. 

The title to the newly conquered lands having been thus 
confirmed to Plymouth, measures were at once taken to dis- 
pose of them. The most powerful reason which had led the 
Plymouth authorities to claim the territory was that it " was 
well-accommodated for the settlement of sea-port towns." 
The evident advantages which it possessed as a commercial 
mart could not long remain unnoticed. On the fourteenth 
of September, 1680, corresponding, if we allow for the dif- 
ference of style, to the day selected for these services, and 
in consideration of the sum of three hundred pounds, the 



42 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

Mount Hope lands were conveyed to four citizens of Boston, 
John Walley, Nathaniel Byfield, Stephen Burton and Na- 
thaniel Oliver. By the terms of the sale, a " town for trade " 
was to be at once established. To promote this end, extra- 
ordinary privileges were granted, and most liberal provisions 
were made. The four proprietors reserved to themselves an 
eighth each, and proceeded to dispose of the remainder. 
The new settlement was exempted from all colonial taxes 
for five years, the privilege of sending deputies to the Gen- 
eral Court was conceded to it, a local court was established, 
and it was provided that it should be the shire-town of a 
new county to be established. The tract was laid out on a 
plan of which up to this time there had been no example. 
In contrast with the crowded streets of Boston, it presented 
these broad and regular avenues, but like Boston it had a 
public common reserved in the centre of the town, while six 
hundred acres, in addition, Mere devoted to the general 
improvement. It is impossible to glance at these provisions 
without recognizing the fact that the first proprietors of this 
territory were men of liberal views and large public spirit. 
While engaged in an enterprise which their own private 
advantage had no doubt suggested, they scorned to look at 
it in the light of mere private and selfish interest. The 
generous conception which they formed of their undertaking 
received its reward. The best class of settlers was attracted, 
and in five years, where liad been a wilderness, there stood 
the most flourishing town in the colony. 

The great purpose which they had in view was intimated in 
almost their earliest corporate act. On September 1, 1681, 
the people assembled together and agreed that "the name of 
this town shall be Bristol." The only reason that can be 
assigned for such a proceeding is that at this time Bristol 
was, next to London, the most important seat of maritime 
commerce in the mother coimtry, and in founding their new 
port of trade, the settlers of this town wished to borrow 
some of the associations of such a famous mart. We may 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 4H 

derive a natural satisfaction from the reflection that their 
confidence in the experiment they had undertaken gave us 
even this trifling connection with a city which, though 
stripped in part of its commercial eminence, is still one of 
the most beautiful in England, the city from which Sebastian 
Cabot sailed on the voyage that resulted in the discovery of 
the American continent, the city which Edmund Burke 
represented in Parliament, when he vindicated, in strains of 
unsurpassed eloquence, the rights of the colonies. In 
several striking particulars, a resemblance between the towns 
might be traced. The distinctive character of the new en- 
terprise, that which marked it so strongly from the earlier 
settlements upon the bay, is expressed in this proceeding. 
The founders of Bristol were not, like the settlers of Provi- 
dence and Newport, exiles for conscience' sake, smarting 
with sense of wrong, and cherishing a bitter feeling of 
resentment against the community from which they had been 
driven ; on the contrary, they were men of wealth and 
standing, of high consideration in the colony which they 
voluntarily left, for which they cherished the most afiection- 
ate attachment, and whose institutions they zealously labored 
to perpetuate. In coming here they were not seeking for 
any larger religious liberty, for that they already enjoyed 
in as great a measure as they deemed consistent with their 
own good ; they were not aiming to emancipate themselves 
from any restraints of law. They came here under due 
authority, to establish a town for trade, and they sought, 
from the outset, to surround themselves with all the sanc- 
tions of social order. 

Every community is stamped with the impress of its 
founders. Who, we naturally ask, were the men to whom 
Bristol owes its origin? The four original proprietors, with 
one exception, were actual settlers, and became earnestly 
identified with the interests of the town. Mr. Oliver sold 
his share to Nathan Hay man, another leading merchant of 
Boston, who soon after died. The names of the remaining 



44 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

three are wi-itten in enduring characters on our early annals. 
Of Stephen Burton less is known than of the others, but he 
is said to have been bred at Oxford, and as recording ofiicer 
of the county, he filled a responsible position until his death 
in 1692. John Walley, whose name stands first on the 
Grand Deed, was the son of an English clergyman, and held 
high rank in the Massachusetts Colony. While devoting 
himself with success to mercantile pursuits, he was called at 
various times to discharge important public duties. He was 
a member of the Council, a Judge of the Superior Court, and 
had command of the land forces in the expedition of Sir 
William Phipps. These great trusts were executed with an 
ability and fidelity which gained him universal respect. 
During his residence in Bristol, he stood always among the 
foremost in promoting every public interest. His substantial 
dwelling still remains among us. Near the close of his life 
he returned to Boston, where he died in 1712. But the 
most prominent and influential of the original proprietors 
yet remains to be mentioned. Nathaniel By field was also 
the son of an English clergyman, a member of the famous 
Westminster Assembly. His mother was sister of the up- 
right and courageous Bishop Juxon, who attended Charles 
the I. upon the scaffold. He landed at Boston only six 
years before the purchase of the Mount Hope lands. Com- 
ing to this town with the first settlers, he remained here for 
nearly half a century, choosing for his home the beautiful 
peninsula on the opposite side of the harbor, the greater 
part of which belonged to his estate. Like Walley, he re- 
turned to Boston in his old age, and died there in 1733. 
His remains rest in the old Granary Burial Ground. When 
Bristol Avas incorporated, it was a part of Plymouth Colony, 
but after the union of Plymouth with Massachusetts in 1690, 
an ampler field was opened to its citizens. Colonel Byfield 
was several times elected Speaker of the House of Eepresen- 
tatives ; for many years he was a member of the Provincial 
Council ; for a long period he presided in the County Court ; 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 45 

from no less than three English sovereigns he received a 
commission as Judge in Admiralty. In the notice called 
forth by his death, he is described as a man of great courage, 
vigor and activity; of plain and instructive conversation, 
and of unquestionable faithfulness and honesty. Nothing is 
more to his credit than the fact that during the Witchcraft 
delusion, which remains such a dark spot upon the fame of 
Massachusetts, he had the courage to oppose and denounce 
it. He was a man of strong convictions ; he was engaged in 
bitter controversies ; and he did not escape the aspersions 
which were as freely lavished in that day as in ours. But 
when his long and useful life was ended, his character and 
public services called forth unqualified eulogium. In this 
community his memory has always been gratefully cherished. 
To no one has Bristol been so much indebted. To him, more 
than to any other, we owe these broad and beautifid streets ; 
to him we are indebted for this common on which we stand ; 
to his foresight and generosity was due the early provision 
for schools, which has been such a material aid in the cause 
of public education. Fitted by his eminent abilities for the 
highest positions in the colony, he was never unmindful of 
his obligations to the community in which he lived. And 
with great appropriateness, when the High School was 
erected, a few 3"ears ago, the town decided that it should 
bear the name of Byfield. No nobler memorial can be 
erected to the dead than a memorial like this which is a per- 
petual blessing to the living, and no more worthy example 
can be held up to the generations of children who shall receive 
their training there, than the example of one who in the pur- 
suit of his private interests never neglected the public good. 
Well may we be proud to enroll such names as Walley and 
Byfield among our founders ! 

I have called attention to the fact that the settlement of 
Bristol was essentially a commercial enterprise. At first 
sight, no doubt, this feature in its history seems to detract 
from the significance of the undertaking. Especially in 



46 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

comparison with the neighboring towns, it seems to lack 
those characteristics whicli awaken the most enthusiastic in- 
terest. We cannot claim that on this soil, so dear to all of 
us, any novel truth was evolved, or any great principles de- 
fended. The fame which justly belongs to Providence and 
to Aquidneck, does not belong to us. Our early records do 
not bear the names of any martyrs for conscience, of any 
pioneers in the vindication of spiritual truth. We have no 
Roger Williams Upon whose statue Ave can gaze with rever- 
ence, we have no Anne Hutchinson, whose clear perception 
of first principles may extort our admiration, and Avhose 
pathetic fate, after so many years have passed, must excite 
our warmest sympath3^ We are forced to confess the ab- 
sence, in our local annals, of those elements which lend to 
history its highest and most absorbing charm. But there is 
another side to all this Avhich we must not overlook. In the 
complex system under Avhich the human race is Avorking out 
its destiny, it seems to be the rule that an advantage in one 
direction is always purchased by the sacrifice of some cor- 
responding advantage in another. There are tAvo great prin- 
ciples that control the movements of society, the principle- 
of progress, and the principle of order. If Ave reckon it a 
blessing to enjo}^ an unchecked liberty, if Ave count it a priv- 
ilege to dwell in a community Avhere there is no restraint 
upon the expression of opinion, Avhere CA^ery one is free to 
follow his own course, and to attain the largest measure of 
individual development and of individual action, we must, 
on the other hand, admit that there is some advantage in an 
orderly society, some benefit to be derived from connection 
with a community Avhere the common interests are not dis- 
regarded, Avhere mutual obligations receive full recognition, 
and where the claims of positive truth are not forgotten in 
the assertion of the rights of private judgment. 

It is impossible not to contemplate Avith admiration the 
early history of the State of which, for near a century and 
a half, we have been a loyal part ; not to gaze with reverence 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 47 

:it the little community which, in an adverse age, had it in 
its heart " to hold fortli a lively experiment that a most flour- 
ishing civil State may stand and best he maintained with a 
full liberty of religious concernments ;" and Mdiich in an age 
when toleration was hardly known, boldly afhrmed that not 
toleration merely, but comi)lete religious freedom, was the 
right of every human being ; but it is impossible to read the 
history of Rhode Island and not to recognize the fact that 
those who drank of this great cup of liberty w^ere compelled 
to pay a heavy price. When the}' threw their doors wide 
open to the distressed in conscience of every name, when 
they held out so boldly the alluring bait of exemption from 
all external restraints, they drew together elements so in- 
congTuous, so inharmonious, so discordant, that even the invin- 
cible patience of Roger Williams at length recoiled from 
"such an infinite liberty of conscience." The extremely 
democratic basis upon which the body politic w^as rested, 
while it reduced the functions of government to the very nar- 
rowest limits, at the same time left the control of aflairs in 
the hands of the least intelligent portion of the population. 
While it cannot be said that the lirst settlers were insensible 
to the importance of education, still education never received 
any generous public support. The complete separation 
effected betw^een church and state, b}^ remitting the support 
of religious institutions to a community divided, beyond all 
previous example, in religious sentiment, deprived them of 
the inestimable benefit of an educated clergy. In the town 
which Williams founded, and to which he gave a name ex- 
pressive of his reliance upon divine help, no place of public 
worship existed until the beginningof the following centur}'. 
Freedom, of every kind, prevailed in unexampled measure, 
but an enlarged pu])lic s[)irit, an intelligent appreciation of 
the higher interests of the social body, a recognition of what 
was due from the individual to the connnunity of which he 
formed a part, were not then traits of Rhode Island char- 
acter. 



48 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

The Puritan colonies of Plymouth and Massachusetts, Imt 
more especially the latter, stood in striking contrast with all 
this. Firmly knit in religious faith, making no pretence 
whatever of toleration, often harsh in their treatment of dis- 
senters, they were eminent for public spirit, and showed the 
characteristics of homogeneous and highly organized com- 
munities. Led by their peculiar theory to invest the State 
with the largest powers, and ally it with all the supreme 
concerns of life, they regarded no political duties as more 
sacred and more imperative than those connected with the 
promotion of education and the maintenance of pure religion. 
The public support accorded to religious institutions secured 
for every town the services of a well educated minister. 
On the other hand, this close alliance of church and state 
gave additional import to civil obligations. Public functions 
were held in high esteem, magistrates were regarded with 
reverence, and even the ordinary duties of the citizen were 
discharged in a religious spirit. Equally in civil and relig- 
ious things the Puritan viewed himself as living unto God. 

Coming, as they did, from a Puritan colony, the founders 
of Bristol did not seek in their new home to throw off the 
Puritan traditions in which they had been trained. They 
walked with undeviating steps in the faith to which they had 
been accustomed. They came to establish a town for trade, 
but they did not for a moment forget the higher conditions 
on which the welfare of every community depends, and 
without which material prosperity can only prove, in the end, 
a curse. Though engaged in a commercial enterprise, all 
their proceedings evinced a noble and conscientious recogni- 
tion of the fact that society is bound by ol^ligations which 
transcend all private and selfish interests. I have already 
alluded to the liberal provision, made at the settlement of 
the toAvn, for the promotion of education. Almost their 
first care Avas to secure the services of "air able school- 
master." And by a subsequent vote, by which a small addi- 
tional fee was exacted from children who studied Latin, it 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 49 

appears that the course of study was not confined to common 
branches, but embraced the chissics. But still more charac- 
teristic was their concern for the support of religion. When 
the town was laid out, lands were set apart for the support 
of the ministry, and in the articles of agreement between the 
original proprietors and the settlers, it wajs expressly stipu- 
lated that each should pay his proportion for erecting a meet- 
ing-house, and a home for the minister. At the very first 
town meeting, before their own dwellings had been closed 
against the winter Mind, they voted to carry the latter part 
of this agreement into effect. For a short time they wor- 
shipped in a private house, a house whose sturdy frame, solid 
and unyielding as the creed of its builders, still defies decay. 
Soon as arrangements could be completed, they proceeded 
to erect a meeting-house. The massive timbers were cut 
from the common about us. It stood on the site of yonder 
Court House, and in it, for a hundred years, our fathers as- 
sembled to worship God. Around it were the graves of the 
first settlers, the most hallowed associations gathered about 
it, and we can but marvel at the stupidity which sacrificed that 
sacred and commanding site. According to well authenti- 
cated tradition, the building was square in shape, having 
two rows of windows, with a roof rising to the centre, and 
surmounted by a cupola and bell. The interior w^as sur- 
rounded by a double row of galleries, and the floor was cov- 
ered, as time went on, with square pews, through the rounds 
of whose oaken doors the children sought relief from the 
tedium of the protracted services. I know it is the habit of 
«ome to express contempt for the old-fashioned New England 
meeting-house. But if the principle laid down by the highest 
authorities on architecture is right, that all genuine and noble 
buildins: has its origin in actual needs, and finds the measure 
of its excellence in its adaptation to the use intended ; if the 
Grecian temple, the Gothic minster, the feudal castle, derive 
their charm from their conformity to this fimdamental law, 
then our Puritan fathers built wisely and well. The}^ built 

7 



50 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

according to their means, and with reference to their wants. 
Their phiin meeting-houses harmonized with their simple 
worship. To the eye of taste they are far more venerable, 
and far more interesting, than the more ambitious structures 
with which they have so often been supplanted. 

The men who made such liberal provision for the support 
of public worship, were not likely to be indifferent to the 
ministrations under which they sat. Exalting the pulpit to 
such supreme rank, they cherished a not less exalted ideal of 
religious teaching. Accustomed to accord the minister the 
first place in the community, they exacted, in return, the 
highest qualification. After one unsuccessful experiment, 
they secured for their first settled pastor, a renowned scholar, 
who brought to the infant settlement the ripest discipline of 
the old world. Son of a wealthy London citizen, he received 
his early training at the famous St. Paul's school, which John 
Colet, the friend of Erasmus, founded ; the school in which 
Milton acquired the rudiments of his matchless scholarship. 
Proceeding at the early age of fifteen, to Oxford, he won a 
distinguished rank, and was rewarded with a fellowship at 
Wadham College. A conscientious non-conformist, he came 
to this country in 1686. It was said of him by one well 
qualified to judge, "that hardly ever a more universally 
learned person trod the American strand." It is true that he 
remained here but a short time, but we may safely infer 
something respecting the character and intelligence of a 
community which, even for a short time, could command and 
appreciate the ministrations of such a man as Samuel Lee. 

Here let us pause. I have narrated the circumstances that 
led to the founding of this town, I have sketched an outline 
of its distinguishing features. I repeat that no such halo 
surrounds our early history as that which illumines the be- 
ginnings of the neighboring settlements. We have no claim 
to the distinction which Providence and Newport boast. But 
we may justly claim praise of a different kind. We may 
claim that here was planted a town which illustrated the ad- 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 51 

vjintages of social order ; which Avas enriched, beyond ordi- I 
najy measure, with the best conditions of social progress ; | 
which entered on its career with high and generous appre- 
ciation of social obligations. It had no rude beginnings. It 
is not too much to say that few rural neighborhoods in the 
mother country could boast the educational and religious 
privileges which they enjoyed who followed the wise lead of 
Walley and Byfield to these untrodden wilds. 

Two hundred years have passed since the work which I 
have described was done. The dream in which our fathers 
indulged, when they borrowed for their little settlement the 
name of the famous English mart, has not been realized ; in 
the main object they had in view the course of events has 
not corresponded with their expectations. The transfer of 
the town from Massachusetts to Rhode Island, which took 
place two generations later, lessened its importance ; the 
hard struggle with the mother country bore heavily upon it ; 
and not even the extraordinary enterprise of its merchants, 
during the half century that followed, could withstand the 
inevitable tendency of trade which c6llected foreign commerce 
into a few great centres. Bristol shared the fate of so many 
famous New England seaports. The harbor is deserted 
which was once crowded with vessels from every clime ; the 
wharves are rotting where, within my own memory, were 
piled the costly products of the tropics, the Mediterranean, 
and the Baltic. The jargon of strange races is heard no more 
in our streets ; the bustling port is tranformed into a summer 
watering place. Yet I cannot doubt that the best work of 
the founders remains. The mark they made on the character 
of the town, the impulse they gave to its higher interests, the 
deep lines they cut upon its moral foundations, — these have 
not passed away. There is not one of us here, to-day, who 
is not better for the work they did. We trace their benefi- 
cent influence in the conservative character which has always 
been the just boast of this community, in the regard for social 
order which has made it alwa3^s prompt and unswerving in its 



52 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

support of authority and law. \ We trace it in the generous 
support of public institutions, of which there are so many 
striking proofs around us ; in the churches, where, under 
dirterent forms, the God whom they worshipped, is adored ; 
in the noble school, which, bearing the name of Byfield, 
shows that his spirit is not extinct ; and in the most recent 
ornament of our town, the lieautiful Library, the gift of one 
who still survives, as an embodiment of the gentler and more 
winning virtues of the olden time, virtues which find small 
place on the page of history, but wliich form so large a part 
of all that gives value, and happiness, and blessing to human 
life. 

Much that the fathers believed, we question ; much that 
they deemed essential, we have put aside. But let us rest 
assured that it remains as true in our dny as in theirs, that 
reliijion and intelliijence are the foundations of a well-ordered 
and prosperous community. The example they have given 
us is an example which we cannot afford to forget. It is the 
example of an enlightened public spirit, the lesson that we 
are members one of another, that our individual concerns are 
wrapped up in the general welfare, that we best promote our 
private interests wiien we seek the common good. This, as 
I read New England history, was the great and admirable 
feature of Puritan character ; this it was that made them 
strong, and prosperous, and honored. Let this be the lesson 
w^hich we carry from these services, that in a community 
like this every member must do his part ; that no matter how 
small its size, no matter how local and limited the interests 
involved, we have no right to hold ourselves aloof from its 
concerns. The possession of large means, of superior cul- 
ture, only adds to the obligation. This, I repeat, is the 
great lesson the fathers teach. May we so ponder it that 
when another two centuries have passed, when seven gener- 
ations more have been laid in their silent graves, we ourselves 
may be asgratefuUy remembered as we, to-day, have remem- 
Ijered them I 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BKISTOL. 53 



Tlie following ode, written by Miss A. J. Coggeshall, was 
sung ])y the .school children. Tune — Keller's American 
Ilvnni : 

BI-CENTENNIAL ODE. 

Hail to thee, Bristol ! Our time-honorea town : 
Fair iu thy robes of rejoicing arrayed ; 
Twice o'er our shores has a century rolled, 
Since by firm hands thy foundations were laid ; 
Proudly we greet thee, our beautiful home. 

Kicli are our valleys iu song and romance; 
We roam the hills by the Norsemen roamed o'er ; 
Stand by the rock with their rude symbols carved. 
Long ages past when they moored near our shore ; 
Sons of the North land ! The mystical North. 

Kegal in rich robes of crimson and gold. 
Mount Hope stands silent beside the still bay ; 
Stately as when iu the days long ago 
Sons of the forest held unquestioned sway ; 
Home of King Philip ! We cherish thy fame. 

On thy lone summit the chieftain once stood; 
Th' proud Indian chieftain undaunted and brave: 
His realm th' dim forest that skirted thy side. 
No spot in thy broad lands could grant him a grave; 
Noble King Philip ! We moan thy sad fate. 

Here stood th' lodge of renowned Ma.s.sasoit, 
Staunch friend of th' Pilgrims, unchanging and true; 
On famed Pokanokethis couucil-flres blazed,— 
Th" home of Wamsutta and proud Weetamoe,— 
Th' bold, haughty princess; how daring in war! 

Blue Narragansett ! whose bright waters gleam 
liound lovely Aquidneck's and Poppasqua's side. 
No more where thy countless sails whiten th* wave. 
Til* bark of the red man will silently glide ; 
Fairest of waters ! Our isle-dotted bay ! 



54 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

Closely our heart strings around thee entwine ; 
We love thy broad streets and o'ershadowing trees, 
Thy dark ivied churches, thy mansions so fair, 
Tliy harbor whose blue waves dance in the breeze; 
Sweet Peace attend thee, our sea-girdled town ! 

Home of our fathers ! While centuries last. 
God whom they trusted, from danger defend! 
Glad Plenty crown thee with rich golden sheaves, 
And th' bow of His promise in love o'er thee bend! 
Hail to thee Bristol ! Our time honored town. 



lit. Rev. Mark A. DeW. Howe, D. D., Bishop of the 
Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, poet of the day, delivered 
the following poem : 



HISTORICAL POEM. 



When life was fresh, and pulse beat full and strong, 
Free fancies came, and wove themselves in song : 
But age has checked the currents of the heart, 
And care constrained its day-dreams to depart. 
The chords unstrung which once attuned my lyre ; 
The hand its skill has lost; — the soul its fire; — 
The broken shell lies voiceless on the shore ; — 
The fickle muses heed my suit no more; 
And yet I strive by simple force of will, 
With quavering voice to chant in numbers still. 
For 'tis a gala day, joy rules the hour. 
Young men and maids from happy homes outpour : 
Their hastening feet trip light upon the green, 
And music lends enchantment to the scene. 
From distant marts and climes beyond the main, 
The wandering exiles childhood's haunts regain. 
In glad Thanksgiving, round th' ancestral board, 
The living generations sit, restored. 
They come to greet the mother of us all. 
Whose bonds of love our willing hearts enthrall : 
Whose years by centuries may now be told, 
While spot nor wrinkle shows that she is old. 
More fruit in age. her vigor still brings forth. 
And spreads her teeming offspring South and North. 
To-day, each filial heart its tribute brings. 
And at her feet the roseate garland flings. 
And witness, — stiffened age attempts to glean 
Its withered chaplet; — fields no longer green. 
Supply autumnal flowers in colors gay, 
Fragrant no more, like blossoms of the May. 



56 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

Sauntering along this ancient town, 
Its tasteful homes, its busy streets, 

Its cross-crowned turrets shadowing down, 
Its sea-board girt with white-sailed fleets, 

We dream not of their bold emprise 
Who here, two centuries agone. 

Saw, forest-clad, with prescient e5'es, 
The choicest spot for homes' hearth-stone. 

Four stalwart men, alike prepared 
To quell the foe, or till the ground, 

(Heroic dames their fortunes shared) 
Amid these wilds a refuge found. 

They felled the wood, the log-house piled, 
They burned the bramble from the sod. 

And sense of loneliuess beguiled, 
With research in the Book of God. 

The stealthy wolves from jungles swoop. 
And howl about their cots at night; 

Or, wakened by the Indian's whoop. 
They see the torch's lurid light. 

The snow four times the vales had filled. 
Four summer suns dissolved the frost. 

Since the great Metacom was killed. 
His braves dispersed, his fastness lost. 

The treach'rous savage, fierce with hate. 
Sought vengeance for his people's wrong : 

Skulking where once with pride elate 
He strode the sun lit heath along. 

Watching to light the vengeful fires. 
To steal the wife, to slay the child ! 

Such were the foes our gallant sires 
Encountered in the forest wild. 

Where we, their sons, luxuriate. 
In homes with peace and plenty stored, 

They wrestled with beleaguering fate, 

Armed with the plowshare and the sword. 



BI-CENTENNIAL, OF BRISTOL. 

Alas ! for that evanished race 
That once pursued the eager chase 

Along these hills and dales ; 
Or o'er the tide with light canoe 
Clave the white-crested billows through, 

Now spangled thick with sails. 

Born to this princely heritage, 

They sojourned here from age to age ; 

Who knoweth Avhence they sprung? 
Though errant as the winds they roam, 
Their hunting-grounds to them were home. 

To these dear haunts they clung. 

Helics of their heroic sires — 
Withheld from the funereal fires 

Which wrap far India's dead— 
As waiting warriors calmly rest 
In all their savage armor drest, 

With trophies rich bestead. 

And dear to them that honored dust. 
As where, in Christian hope and trust, 

We lay our dead to sleep. 
Sacred — until the white man came 
To obliterate their tribal name, 

Their souls in grief to steep. 

When, tempest-tost, the pilgrim stood 
On the cold margent of the flood. 

The Indian grasped his hand ; 
Bade him to rove the seas no more, 
But bring his treasures to the shore 

And share the rugged land. 

But soon before the favoring breeze 
Came other laden argosies 

Astir with Saxon bands; 
Invaders on the shore grew bold. 
As wave on wave successive rolled, 

O'erspreads the shelving sands. 

Victims of violated troth, 

The Indian chiefs with vengeance wroth, 

Uprose to stay the flood. 
Where'er the intruder chose his way. 
The savage hordes in ambush lay, 

And deluged him in blood. 



57 



58 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

But ah ! the pebbles ou the shore 
Cannot repel the sea's uproar, 

Though countless as the stars ; 
The feathered shaft, the uncertain bow, 
Are powerless 'gainst a steel-clad foe 

In panoply of Mars. 

Vanquished in light, yet undismayed, 
In a yet deeper everglade. 

The sachem found retreat ; 
There plumed again his savage horde. 
And from his lair in wrath outpoured 

The unguarded host to meet. 

At length the Chief, by foes sore-pressed, 
Here, at his mountain-home sought rest. 

In counsel with his braves. 
Before,— the bog with brambles grown, 
Defies approach like wall of stone, 

Behind— the ocean laves. 

In order, round his rocky throne. 
High-canopied with vine-clad stone. 

The solemn conclave meet ; 
The spring from out whose limpid edge 
They quafi" in nature's wine their pledge, 

Flows placid at his feet. 

Alone upon the mountain's head, 

Where woods, and plains and seas outspread 

In beauteous prospect lie. 
The sentry stands with search intent 
Graven on every lineament 

And flashing from his eye. 

He sees the hostile scouts afar, — 
The heralds of advancing war. 

Stretching from shore to shore. 
The serpent's coil in deadly ring, 
The doomed chiefs encompassing, 

To crush them evermore. 

Instant adown the dizxy steep, 

More swift than startled reindeer's leap, 

Tlie faithful sentry sped; 
His hurrying step the chieftains heard, 
Nor paused to catch the warning word, — 

To the deep thicket fled. 



i 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 59 

In the black mire immersed they lay, 
Eluding then the fierce foray, 

Each in his grim retreat. 
But the keen huntsman knew his game, 
(Descendants bear his honored name 

In this, his chosen seat.) 

He lingered through the live-long night 
Till, passed away their wild affright. 

They lit the wigwam fire : — 
Brought forth their scanty stores forlorn 
All in the twilight of the morn, 

To sate their hunger dire. 

Then tracked them to the tangled fen, 
As beasts are baited in their den, 

And set his marksmen round. 
And one, in that fierce hunt took part, 
With vengeful hand and trait'rous heart, 

A Wampanoag hound. 

His recreant arm the death-shot sped, 
Brought to the dust that royal head, 

The peerless Metacom. 
The last and foremost of his race !. 
Where erst he sought a resting-place, 

Our fathers found a home. 

Doubtless it was the will of Heaven, 
That o'er the coasts where once was given 

Welcome to pilgrim band. 
Their sons, as forest leaves are strewn, 
Should spread ; assuming as their own 

Dominion of the land. 

The}' brought intelligence and skill 
The seas to span, the earth to till, 

To wave the magic rod — 
Transforming quick the desert wild 
To home, for Heaven's elected child, 

A Paradise of God. 

Yet lives there one with heart so sere 
That from his stony eyes, no tear 

On Indian graves may fall? 
No pity for an outcast race 
Upon whose camping-ground, through grace. 

We hold our Festival? 



60 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BKISTOL. 

With foothold on th' Atlantic strand, 
The Briton strove, on every hand, 

New conquests to secure. 
The Indian tribes were backward borne, 
Still struggling with their fate forlorn. 

Still fated to endure ! 

O'er stream and mountain-top afar. 
Pursued by unrelenting war. 

They took their westward way; 
Still following the setting sun. 
The remnant of the race march on 

To the oblivious sea. 

Swiftly the tide of time has run 
Since from this coast to Oregon, 

The red men ruled the land ! 
Say if two centuries more will leave 
One living representative 

Before our sons to stand? 



Here in dim days of yore- 
Six centuries before 
Saxons sailed these waters o'er ; 

Norsemen found haven ! 
Tread we historic ground, 
Where, on the shores arouud. 
Records of them are found 

On the rock graven. 

From the bleak Norway coast. 
Soon in grey twilight lost. 
On the seas tempest tost, 

Launched the bold seamen ! 
Fear in each bosom slept ; 
Forth from the strand they swept, 
While, on the shore, there wept 

Children and women. 

Neath the cold Polar star. 
Mount they the waves afar. 
As on triumphal car, 

Rides the proud hero. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 61 

Down from the crystal seas, 
Sweeps the chill uorthern breeze, 
Frosts on the voyager seize. 
Cold— cold below zero! 

Still on their westward way, 

Lit by pale astral ray, 

b*er the wild waste they stray 

Groping for Greenland. 
Veered by the polar wind, 
Down these coasts forest-lined. 
Here clustering grapes they find, — 

Name the shore Vinhind. 

Skirting this shining bay, 
Vines spread their rich array, 
'Neath thtm, his roundalay 

Sang the gay sailor. 
Over the biting frost — 
O'er the seas tempest-tost, 
O'er the stern rock-bound coast. 

Sang the prevailer. 

Who, 'neath the circling sun, 
Hath their bold voyage outdone. 
Brave hundred fifty-one— 

Thorfin their Viking? 
He with that Corsair crew 
O'er the far waters blue 
Gudrid, the princess, drew. 

Maid of his liking. 

Under his own roof-tree. 
Sped the time cheerily. 
In the dark forest, she — 

Heart's troth unbroken — 
On her breast, undeflled, 
Bare the lone Norseman child- 
Flower of the desert wild- 
Love's precious token. 

Thrice had the pallid sun 
Stooped o'er the southern zone, 
Thrice from his height shed down 

Summer's soft burning — 
When, tired of Skraelling strife. 
Weary of exile life, 
Norsemen, 'mid perils rife. 

Launch forth returning. 



62 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BEISTOL. 

Yet, o'er the Arctic maiu, 
Ships came and went again, 
Crossing in prond disdain, 

Seas that dissever 
Our Vinland's balmy clime 
From Iceland's mantling rime ; 
But, since that primal time, 
On this coast maritime, 

Norsemen dwelt never. 



So has it fared, from age to age : 

Race has supplanted race ; 
New names are writ on history's page, 

The new the old replace. 

Into the cities Canaan stored. 

The ruthless Hebrews came; 
The Turk now holds them by the sword 

In false Mahomet's name. 

Etruscan soil, Imperial Rome 
With power and wealth o'erspread; 

The Goths despoiled the lofty dome, 
The crown from Caesar's head. 

Saxons and Normans trod, in turn, 

Britannia's sea-girt shore; 
The Druids gone, their altars burn 

With mystic fires no more. 

Under the crust of present life 

A buried past lies hid. 
As 'neath fiiir fields with verdure rife. 

The cities of the dead. 

We dream that we have reached the goal 

For man's achievement set, 
And scout the thought that a long roll 

Of nations follows yet. 

May there not rise some nobler stock 
To stand where we have stood. 

To leave memorials on the rock. 
Of still trausceudant good? 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 63 

To touch the harmonies that wait 

In nature's depth, concealed, 
Till science shall reverberate 

Religion's truth revealed ; 

To know no law save that of love, — 

The law that rules in Heaven; 
To glow in sunlight from above, 

Through Christ's effulgence given? 

To stand in pristine form restored 

God-like in soul and mien ; 
At set of sun to meet the Lord, 

As friends meet on the gi-een? 

The heroes of the golden age 

No pen may now portray ; 
We may not read th' unwritten page — 

I chant an humbler lay. 



Dear shrine of my heart, bright realm of my childhood ! 

Where thro' the long vista my memory strays — 
The shells on the beach, the flowers in the wildwood, 

The boat on the billow, bring youth's halcyon days. 

Unknown to the nations that 'yond the broad ocean 
In peace or in conflict long ages had passed. 

Till, bent on adventure, with saint-like devotion. 
This fair land the Norsemen discovered, at last. 

Here flowed the free rivers ; the primeval forest 
O'er valleys and mountains its banner unfurled. 

Till voyagers, who sought from their wand'ring no rest, 
Ope'd the gates of a continent wide to the world. 

Since in. these waters that compass our dwelling. 
The first sail was furled, the first anchor let fall, 

Rebuke not the pride in our bosoms now swelling. 
That we live on the shores most historic of all. 

No sprite of the Indian, no wraith of the Norsemen, 
Confronts us in darkness or vexes our sleep ; 

We trust in the God whose chariots and horsemen 
Eucompass'd the prophet on Dothan's dark steep. 



64 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

By the arm of the Lord we rest iu these borders, 
Pioneers of religion, advancement and right; 

The dominion is ours, while, true to our orders, 
We fulfil our errand and " walli in the light." 

See signs of his presence where erst the bold Briton 
Drave out the rude savage and planted his home ; 

The dwellings, the churches, the Common we meet on, 
The raiment we wear, and the fields that we roam. 

King Philip again on the crest of his mountain. 
Surveying the realm he commanded of yore, 

Might see the broad bay— might drink from his fountain- 
All else he once looked on would greet him no more. 

To poets of old the rare instinct was given 
To forecast the future, portray it in song. 

To your rhymster, alas ! less favored of Heaven, 
Just the shades of the past and the present belong. 

What glories may crown this fair spot by the sea, 
When the dial of time shows a century more, 

I wist not, I care not, since never to me. 
Can it boast of a lustre it wore not before. 

Could the raeu, and the beasts, and trees of the wood, 
Once spell-bound by Orpheus, be held by the Poet, 

No scene should be changed, no new-fangler intrude, 
He would crystallize Bristol just as we know it. 

No rock should be smitten, no landmark removed. 
The gray moss on the walls, green sedge on the shore. 

All, all should remain in the guise we have loved. 
Mementoes of Eden, preserved evermore. 

Generations that crowd on our footsteps, all hail ! 

We vacate the homestead, our leasehold expires ; 
If our counsels may guide, or our prayers may prevail. 

You'll on the old hearths keep alive the old fires. 

Moutaup looketh down on a landscape serene ; 

'Tis a garden the Master entrusts to your care. 
Your art may embellish, yet not supervene 

This perfection of nature iu earth, sea and air. 



I 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 65 

The stream from Helicon runs low : 
The winged horse is jaded now : 
The Sisters nine have tripped away, 
And left me halting and astray: 
Folding his wings on life's far shore, 
The Cj'gnet dies, and sings no more ! 



1. The patent under which Bristol was held was given to four men, John Walley, 
Nathaniel Oliver, Nathaniel Byfield, and Stephen Burton. These were joined in the course 
of the year 1680 by twelve other men. 

2. Massasoit, the chief Sachem of the Wampanoags, whose range extended from Ply- 
mouth to Narragansett Bay, was, from the first, very friendly to the English immigrants, 
and maintained peace with tlieni all his days. At his death he was succeeded by his eldest 
son, " \Vamsutta," to whom the Colonists gave the name " Alexander." In a few months 
after his accession, rumors reached the English that he was plotting with the Narragan- 
setts, a large tribe, or nation, on the west of the bay. An armed escort was sent with a 
summons calling him to appear before the Plymouth authorities. He went, unresisting. 
In Hubbard's history of Indian wars, it is reported that as he returned to his people, his 
spirit was so chafed with the indignities to which he had been subjected, that he fell into a 
fever, of which he died before reaching his destination. The suspicion obtained among his 
people that he had been poisoned by the whites. Under such circumstances his younger 
brother, " Metacom," commonly known as King Philip, became the Sachem of his tribe. 
For a while he bore himself peaceably towards his foreign neighbors. But a sense of 
wrongs, real or imaginary, was all the while rankling in his breast. And at length a tierce 
war of extermination was commenced, in which Philip enlisted other tribes besides his 
own. After repeated disasters, he fell back with a few of his braves, to Mount Hope, his 
natural fortress, that he might take counsel with them in regard to future operations. His 
purpose of hostility to the whites and their encroachments, is said to have been so deter- 
mined, that, when one of his counsellors advocated concession and peace, Philip slew him 
on the spot. Meanwhile Capt. Benjamin Church, who had already large experience in In- 
dian warfare, had knowledge of his retreat, and, with a chosen band, drew near to attempt 
his capture. He might have failed in his effort, had not a brother of the man whom Philip 
slew for differing from him, bent on revenge, allied himself witli Captain Church, and 
piloted him and his company to the Sachem's hiding place. This occurred on the 12th of 
August, 1076, four years before the settlement of Bristol. King Philip was killed in the 
edge of the swamp Into whicli he was fleeing. His seat and spring on tlie other side of the 
Mount is familiar to most persons who have visited the locality. 

Philip's death was the end of the great war. but his dispersed followers lurked around 
the white settlements ready for any kind of mischief, for which they might find opportu- 
nity, and keeping the Colonists in .continual alarm. 

3. In the archives of Copenhagen is a manuscript book called " Codex Flatocensis," a 
skin book which was finished in 1387. A carefully printed copy of it is to be found in the 
Library of the University of Wisconsin. In this is contained a detailed account of the voy- 
ages of the Norsemen,— their settlement in Iceland, their compiest of Norway, their dis- 
covery of Greenland and of Labrador, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and in the year 1000 of 
Vinland, under Leif, son of Eric the Red. Tlie authenticity of these histories is recog- 
nized by Von Humboldt and Malte Brun. In 1007, Thorfinn and Gudrid, his newly mar- 
ried wife, set oft' to colonize Vinland, a region which had been so named by Lief Erick- 
son, because he had found grapes along its shores. The expedition consisted of 151 men, 
and 7 women. They made their settlement, it is believed, on the shore of Mount Hope 
Bay. The description of the coast and the way of approach, indicate that tliis was the 

9 



66 BI-CE^'TENNIAI. OF BRISTOL. 

spot; and the impression is confirmed by a singular liieroglyphic inscription on a rock at 
the head waters of Mount Hope Bay. It is known as the " Dighton Rock," and Scandina- 
vian schohirs have interpreted the inscription as signifying, "Thorfiun with 151 Norse sea- 
faring men took possession of this land." At the lower corner of the inscription is a figure 
of a woman and a cliild, with the letter (S) near at hand, answering to the historic fact 
that Gudrid, while in Vinland, gave birth to a son, whose name was " Snorre." 

After three years continuance on these shores, they were so much worried by the na- 
tives, whom tliey called " Skraellings," that the whole party abandoned tlieir settlements, 
and returned to Norway. 

See " Historical Sketch of the discovery of North America by the Norsemen in the tenth 
centurj', by K. 15. Anderson, A. M., University of Wisconsin." 

An inscription in characters, apparently of the same period and race, is found on a rock 
on the shore just north of Mount Hope. 



BI-CENTENXIAL OF BEISTOL. 07 



The Boston Cadet Band then gave some selections from 
" NelMK'hadnezzar." 

This Avas followed by singing b}^ the school children, of 
several verses of " Our Century Plymn," written for the occa- 
sion, by John H. Wardwell, Esq., of NeAv York, a native of 
Bristol. The music was also arrano-ed for the ode. 



OUR CENTURY HYIMN. 

We celebrate our natal da}', 

Two luiudred years have flown, 
While God our King has led the way. 

Whose guardian care we own. 
Through many years of gloom and night, 

We come to this foir morn ! 
And peace and love with emblems bright, 

Our banners now adorn. 

We gather here on this glad day. 

One Family in love; 
While we our willing homage pay. 

To Him who reigns above 
And standing on our native soil, 

Breathing our native air ; 
We recognize our parents' toil 

And their unwearied care, 
Which gave us health and courage, too. 

To fight life's battles o'er ; 
And taught us children how to do 

What they had done before ; 
And never in our cause to yield 

The right ! what'er the cost ; 
Although on bloody battle-field. 

For this our lives are lost. 

Freed by their acts, from fear of kings. 

And on their native sod ; 
They gave ns what our birthright brings. 

Freedom to worship God. 



68 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

Thus pilgrims from a foreign sliore, 

From mountain, or from plain, 
Find welcome and an open door, 

To all our broad domain. 
And never more through future years. 

Ma}' fratricidal strife, 
With war's alarms, break on our ears. 

To rob us of our life. 
But art and science joined in hand, 

Winged like celestial dove; 
Spread their rich fruits o'er all our land. 

Combined with truth and love. 



God of our fathers ! hear our song 

We lift on high to Thee this day ; 
Be Thou our God ! our life prolong 

While we our grateful homage pay 
To Him, who rules the World by love. 

And by omnipotent command 
The nations live ! while from above 

He guides them with His gracious hand. 



The last stanzas, commencing, "God of our fathers," was 
sung- in the tune of " Old Hundred," the vast audience rising 
and joining in the song, the Band leading. 



THE BENEDICTION, 

pronounced by Rev. W. V. Morrison, D. D., pastor of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, closed the exercises in the tent. 



I 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 69 



THE DINNER. 

After the close of the literary exercises, about 3 p. m., 
dinner was served in an adjoining tent, plates having been 
laid for one thousand persons. 

Le Baron B. Colt, Esq., President of the Committee, 
called the assembly to order, and the divine blessing was in- 
voked by Bishop Clark. 

The company were then invited to partake of the viands 
spread before them, of which the following is the 



MENU. 





FISH. 






Salmon, 


Mayonaise Dressing. 




tnTT 


MEATS. 






Beef, 


Tongue, 


Ham 




SALADS 






^obster Salad, 




Chicken Salad. 



Currant, 



Citron, 



Pound, 



ICES. 



Sponge, 



Jelly Roll. 



Vanilla, 

Strawberry, Lemon, 

Coffee, Chocolate, Italian. 

Pine Apple Sherbet, 

Orange Sherbet, Lemon Sherbet. 





FRUIT. 




Bananas, 


Pears, 

DRINKS. 


Grapes. 


Coffee, 


Tea, 


Lemonade 



70 BI-CEXTEXNIAL OF BKISTOL. 



POST PRANDIAL EXERCISES. 

At about 4 o'clock, dinner being over, President Colt 
called to order, and introduced Senator Burnside as the toast- 
master of the occasion, who, on rising, said : 

REMARKS OF SENATOR BURNSIDE. 

Mr. Pve.'^klent and Ladies and Gentlemen: — It has l^een 
rightly said that I have a great aflection for Bristol. More 
than thirty years ago I first placed foot upon its soil. Soon 
after that I became a resident, and I have, notwithstanding 
the vicissitudes of my life since then, considered this as my 
home, at all times. I have passed all the time here that I 
could, and when I have been away I have longed to return 
to 3'ou. I feel very much gratified at having been called 
upon to preside as toastmaster at this meeting. I consider 
it very complimentary to me, and I am very proud of the 
honor done me. I shall proceed at once with my duties. 

The first regular toast is : 

The State of Rhode Island. I have the honor to call upon 
one of Rhode Island's distinguished citizens, now its Chief 
Magistrate, to respond to this toast. I take pleasure in in- 
troducing to you His Excellency Governor Littlefield. 

SPEECH OF GOVERNOR LITTLEFIELD. 

Ml'. Toastmaster, Ladies and Gentlemen: — In behalf of 
the State, I extend to the town of Bristol cordial greetings 
on this, its two hundredth annivcrsai-y. Though venerable 
in years, it is by its adoption, one hundred and thirty-three 
years ago, into our family of towns, one of the youngest sis- 
ters in the goodly company. But in its beauty of situation 
and lay-out, in its record in the past and in the enterprise 
and intelligence of its citizens, it may well claim to be the 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 71 

peer of any town in the State. We can well understand and 
appreciate the regret of our friends of the old Bay State 
(turning to Colonel T. W. Higginson, of Gov. Long's staflf) , 
that a territory so attractive should have been severed from 
their Commonwealth ; but it may be a gratification to them 
to see how well it has thrived under our care. The founders 
of the town of Bristol displayed a foresight and enterprise 
Avhich has not been surpassed in the early history of any of 
our towns. One very gratifying result we see in the spa- 
cious thoroughfares, laid out with such convenient regularity 
and shaded with stately and beautiful trees. With the com- 
mercial prosperity of Bristol in former times we are all famil- 
iar. Its enterprising merchants sent their ships to the four 
quarters of the globe, and its wharves, laden with products 
of distant climes, were the scenes of varied and stirring in- 
dustry. Its commercial importance has, owing to changes 
bej^ond its control, been superseded by the claims of other 
and, perhaps, less meritorious ports ; but the beautiful har- 
bor, in which great navies might ride at anchor, remains 
awaiting, let us hope, at no distant day, a return of that pros- 
perity Avhich it witnessed in the past. Among the many 
pleasant characteristics of your town, I may be permitted to 
note a few in which it holds an exceptional position. Within 
its borders it has the only mountain of the State, the place 
so identified with the career and fame of the. brave Philip of 
Pokanoket. Though the tow^n is no longer a place of meet- 
ing of the General Assembly, yet here alone are the electors 
of the President and Vice President authorized to meet, as 
soon they will again do, to cast the vote of this State for 
those important officers. And in one industry, at least, the 
enterprise and capital of your citizens have developed a busi- 
ness whose products are found and used throughout the land. 
The prominent features in the history of the town have been 
so ably presented by the accomplished orator of the day, and 
will be set forth in so much detail by the able gentlemen who 
will in the course of the celebration address you, that little 



72 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

remains for me except to congratulate you on the success of 
this occasion, and to wish for the town so ancient in time, 
but so youthful and vigorous in appearance, a continuance of 
the prosperity which has attended it in the past ; and to hope 
that future g-enerations will maintain that high standard of 
patriotism, that sturdy devotion to virtue, morality and relig- 
ion, which their fathers have displayed, and on which rests 
to so great a degree the success of any community. 

Senator Burxside. The second regular toast is : 
The State of Massachusetts. 

A letter from His Excellenc}^ John D. Long, Governor 
of that State, will now be read. 

[The letter was in answer to the letter of invitation written 
by one of the Committee, in which he refeiTed to the early 
connection of Bristol with the State of Massachusetts.] 

Governor Long's rejily, read by Mr. Miller, was as follows : 

commoxavealth of massachusetts, ^ 

Executive Department, > 

Boston, Sept. 11, 1880. ) 

Wm. J. Miller, Esq., Bristol, R. I. : 

I am in receipt of your kind invitation to be present at the 
celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the settle- 
ment of the town of Bristol. I am engaged the same day at 
^Marlborough, in this Commonwealth, and am therefore 
unable to accept. If possible, one of my staff will be present, 
who will convey the congratulations of Massachusetts to this 
one of her daughters, who has gone out from the parental 
roof and taken up her abode in a neighboring State. If we 
must part with one of our towns, it relieves our regret that 
l)y its prosperity and good character it reflects so much credit 
upon us. 

With best wishes for the occasion, I am. 

Very respectfully, yours, 

J. D. Long. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL, 73 

General Burnside then added : Although the Governor of 
Massachusetts is not able to be with us to-day himself, he 
has sent a representative here, a member of his staff, — a gen- 
tleman distinguished in literature, distinguished for gallantry 
in the field, and above all distinguished for his great patri- 
otic love of country. I take great pleasure in introducing to 
yon Col. T. W. Higginson, 

SPEECH OF COLONEL T, W, HIGGINSON. 

Mr. President and Fellow Citizens : — I have the honor to 
appear here, as you have been told, as in a manner the rep- 
resentative of "the elder generation," — the generation of 
Massachusetts, whose child, according to your Chairman, the 
town of Bristol is, and whose grandchildren, consequently, 
you all are — and you cannot help yourselves. (A voice : 
" We don't want to.") And if the daughter, as General 
Burnside has said, has married and left the paternal home, we 
can at least have the satisfaction of thinking in the old home- 
stead that she has already done credit to the paternal stock 
by adding very largely to the family. Massachusetts sends 
you greeting, cordially and most heartily. You are very 
unfortunate in the fact that Gov. Long is not here himself to 
present that greeting. Nobody here has reason to be glad 
that he is not here except myself, and I am very glad, partly 
because it gives me the opportunity of being here, and partly, 
perhaps, because when I have the good fortune to go to the 
same place with the Governor, I sometimes have to make a 
speech after him,^and if you had ever tried it, you would 
know how hard a thing that is. If Gov. Long were here 
himself to address you, and if I, or anybody else were to 
speak after him, you would remember, perhaps, that account 
in the Irish newspaper of a celebrated duel, where, it said, 
" two shots were fired at the unfortunate gentleman ; the 
first shot killed him; the second shot, however, was not 
fatal." That is the case with any shot or any speech that 
10 



74 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

comes after our Governor. (Laughter and applause.) He 
has at this time so much of that sort of sharp shooting to do 
— so many towns are at this time having their anniversaries, 
and so many counties their cattle shows, that I am afraid if 
there ever was a time when he did not covet a single square 
inch outside of Massachusetts, that time is now. His State 
is quite large enough for him to have to speechify in, as it is. 
The time has long passed, I trust, when any such spirit of 
coveting exists. And I know this morning, speaking as a 
somewhat new-fledged citizen of Massachusetts, and a some- 
what recent exportation out of Rhode Island, I found myself 
not absolutely coveting for Massachusetts anything which is 
now the possession of Rhode Island, unless it be the elo- 
quence, the grace, and admirable candor of the orator of the 
day. 

After all, ladies and gentlemen, this is one-half a Massa- 
chusetts occasion. At the time of that great Indian war, 
which was undoubtedly the greatest era in New England 
before the revolution — at the time of the death of King 
Philip (which took place by a singular coincidence in 1676), 
this was Massachusetts soil. Philip himself, if I remember 
rightly, began and ended the great scenes of his war within 
the limits of what is now the town of Bristol. But at any 
rate, it was Massachusetts then, and it was so eminently 
Massachusetts that I believe one of those four founders — ^that 
quartette of heroes who were celebrated this morning — I be- 
lieve that Judge Byfield himself was somewhat criticised in 
Rhode Island for being too aggressive on the subject of the 
boundary line, and trying to get for Massachusetts more 
than belonged to her. After you had annexed to Rhode Isl- 
and, I believe there was no complaint of anybody's being 
aggressive. It was all right then. The heroes of that day 
were heroes of the two States conjointly ; and Colonel 
Church himself, undoubtedly the greatest military character 
in the New England Colonies, after Miles Standish, and down 
to the time of the revolution — Colonel Church himself 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 75 

divided his life with singular impartiality between these two 
Colonies, first colonizing Little Compton, then coming here 
to live when Bristol was a part of Massachusetts, then going 
to Fall River to live ; and finally concluding that Little 
Compton was a good place to die in, he went back and died 
and was buried there. Thus closely during that period were 
the two commonwealths united. Thus closely may they al- 
ways be united. Never, after that noble oration of to-day — 
so delicately discriminating what each of the early settle- 
ments contributed to the common civilization of New En- 
gland — never after that oration may the old jealousies revive 
again. And lest they should revive, ladies and gentlemen, 
let me at least do justice to the character of Massachusetts, 
and of my chief, by not being tempted to talk to you too 
long. We have a saying up there, among the Governor's 
staff (I don't know how it is in the State of Rhode Island) , 
that the real meaning of the word aid-de-camp is that each 
should be prepared to decamp as soon as possible when there 
is any fighting or talking to go on — and that is what I pro- 
pose to do. 

Senator Burnside. The third regular toast is : 

The Town of Bristol. 

This will be responded to by one of Bristol's most eminent 
citizens, a man well posted in all her history, as he is, in- 
deed, in all history. He needs no introduction. I will sim- 
ply present to you Hon. William J. Miller. 

SPEECH OF WILLIAM J. MILLER. 

Ladies and Gentlemen : — In this presence you will pardon 
me if I feel a diffidence in responding to this sentiment. I 
think, perhaps, that Bristol to-day needs no one to speak for 
her, — that she speaks for herself in the gay attire that she has 
assumed ; that she speaks for herself in her sons and daugh- 
ters who have returned to greet her on this her natal day ; 



76 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

that she speaks for herself in the eminent guests who are here 
with us. But it seems to me very proper that for the mo- 
ment that is allotted me to respond to this toast I shall glance 
at her early history. I naturally go back to the time when 
the earliest settlers came here — when they became fomiliar 
with these "Mount Hope lands," this "Pokanoket," this home 
of the red men — of Massasoit, the great sachem of the tribe, 
of whose good faith they had learned ; and of his son, King 
Philip, whose vengeance they had felt. I want to talk to 
you of this " Mount Hope neck," heavily wooded, as it then 
was, so heavily wooded that they had to cut down sturdy 
oaks to make a place for the first meeting-house that was 
erected here, which stood, as you have been told this morn- 
ing, where our Court House now stands. That building- 
stood just one hundred years, and when it was taken down 
the timber was sound, and some of the same timber was put 
into that second house of worship ; and that second church 
has been used for nearly one hundred years, and is now our 
Town Hall, where we have gathered the relics of the past, 
and that timber is as sound as when it was put in ; and we 
may imagine that those oak trees had a good growth when 
the Pilgrim Fathers lirst landed in Plymouth. With these 
links connecting the present with the past, it seems but a 
span, and that we have only to put forth an arm, in order to 
reach and clasp hands with the fathers and mothers who 
landed from the May Flower. 

When the four proprietors laid out this town for " a port 
of trade," the}^ invited in their friends. I want to read to 
you the names of a few of those men. Richard Smith, the 
first Town Clerk of Bristol, who came here at the very be- 
ginning of the settlement of the town. On the 9th of 
November, 1680, Richard Smith came here, and from that 
date to the present, there has been no time in its history 
when there has not been a resident Richard Smith in Bristol, 
a descendant of the first Richard. His descendants are as 
thick, almost, as the leaves of autumn. Then there were 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BKISTOL. 77 

Benjamin Church, Isaac Waldron, Nathaniel Reynolds, Wil- 
liam Ingraham, Nathaniel Paine, John Finney, Jabez Gor- 
ham, Hugh Woodljury, Jabez Rowland, John Gary, George 
Waldron, William Hoar, Nathaniel Bosworth, John Glad- 
ding, Samuel Woodl)ury, Uzal Ward well, Benjamin and 
Edward Bosworth, John Wilson, William Throop, and many 
others ; every one of those I have named having descendants- 
to represent them here to-day at this two hundredth anniver- 
sary celebration . Some of us can claim descent from half a 
score of them. These were the men who settled Bristol. 
" Their lines have gone out into all the earth," and their de- 
scendants are a great multitude. 

For almost a hundred years, Bristol prospered and in- 
creased in population and wealth. Then came the war of 
the revolution, and she was baptized in fire. In the first year 
of the war the town was bombarded by a British fleet, and, 
in May, 1777, British troops marched through the town and 
burnt many dwellings. Every family that could, left, and 
her streets became desolate. After the war, most of her 
children returned, and the waste places were restored. Our 
growth fi-om the beginning has been a slow, conservative, 
New England growth, up to the present time. To-day, 
"we raise our Ebenezer — hitherto, God has helped us." 
Never before in our history have there been so many happy, 
virtuous homes within our borders. Never before was 
wealth so nearly equally distributed. Never before were her 
people so well fed and clothed. Never before in her history 
have they enjoyed all the privileges of civilization as they do 
to-day. And 1 onl}^ ask, that in the future, as in the past, 
we may — guided by the motto on our town seal — be virtu- 
ous and industrious, and so humbly claim the protection of 
Divine Providence. 

I will close by reading an ode written by a daughter of 
Bristol, now one of the teachers in our public schools, Miss 
A. eT. Coggeshall : 



78 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



BRISTOL, 1680—1880. 

Our native town! whose homes within, 
Old friends are gladly meeting, 

We ring thy happy birthday in, 
With joyous bells of greeting. 

Many to thy loved homesteads come. 

To live their boyhood over, 
And once again in thought, to roam 

The wide fields sweet with clover. 

September brings his golden sheaves, 
And fruits for his bestowing, — 

Within his crimson crown of leaves, 
The purple grapes are glowing. 

Steadfast and bright upon our hills, 

The golden rod is shining; 
The aster by our laughing rills. 

His dainty wreaths is twining. 

The golden sheaves of time are ours ; 

We hold in holy keeping. 
The sacred gifts of mind and powers. 

Of those who low are sleeping. 

The holy dead ! to them we owe 
The freedom of their earning; 

Honor to their blest names ; the glow 
Of Heaven is round them burning! 

We hail the day with mirth and song ; 

But 'mid this feast of gladness, 
My thoughts revert to scenes that long 

Have passed — dread scenes of sadness. 

Old times return ; I see once more 
The grand old forest, rounding 

In wavy curves from shore to shore, 
With woodland echoes sounding. 

Adown its pathless depths I hear 
Plaintive-voiced Autumn singing; 

O'er vale and hill, afar and near, 
His gold-edged mantle flinging. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 79 

On Mount Hope's wooded side I see 

The council fire's red gleaming; 
O'er wild war-dance and revelry, 

Their lurid lights are streaming. 

Once more King Philip's famous reign, 

Makes English hearts to tremble ; 
On Pokanoket once again, 

His painted braves assemble. 

I see his rocky covert near, — 

His haunt for wily scheming; 
While at its foot the waters clear 

Of Philip's spring are gleaming. 

I hear the fearful war-whoop rend 

The night with sounds appalling; 
While, where no timely hands defend, 

The red man's wrath is falling. 

I see the dauntless forest king. 

From Mount Hope's summit glancing. 
Where sun-lit isles their shadows fling. 

And gladsome waves are dancing. 

O waters blue ! no fairer bay 

Srniles 'neath the light of heaven ; 
No rosier waters stretch away. 

Beneath the skies of even. 

Whether above thy western tide. 

More bright than dream or story, 
The hands of Sunset open wide 
The golden gates of glory ; — 

Or by the moonlight silvered o'er. 

Thy waves of light are sleeping : 
While the hushed town along thy shore 

Her silent watch is keeping. 

Fair Bristol ! keep thy glad watch still. 

By Narragansett's waters, 
And welcome with a right good will, 

Returning sons and daughters. 

God grant that through the coming years. 

Over thy harbor streaming, 
Their eyes may see through smiles, or tears, 

The lights of " Sweet Home" gleaming. 



80 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

Senator Burnside. The next regular toast is : 
The Day We Celebrate. 

This toast is to be responded to by my colleague in the 
United States Senate, who needs no introduction to you. 

speech of HON. HENRY B, ANTHONY. 

Mr. Toastmaster : — The day we celebrate is a proud day for 
Bristol, a great day for Rhode Island. On this day, the old 
town opens wide her doors, and invites her scattered children 
to come home to the parental mansion. She calls them from 
the fields of labor, from the workshops of toil, from the marts 
of trade , from the halls of study. From every part of the coun- 
try and of the world, wherever they have wandered, she calls 
them and folds them in her maternal arms. This is a memorial 
period in our history. The Republic has just completed the 
first century of its existence, and the glad event has been 
celebrated with joyous congratulations, commencing with an 
international exhibition of the arts and industry of the world, 
in which our own country vindicated republican institu- 
tions, by an exposition that compared fiivorably with that of 
the older countries, and in some departments, notably in in- 
ventions and processes in the useful arts, taking the first 
place. The centennial anniversaries of great events that fol- 
lowed the immortal declaration which proclaimed our exis- 
tence as a nation, have also been commemorated with due 
and patriotic pomp, and the valor and patriotism, the wis- 
dom and virtues of our fathers, who flourished a hundred 
years ago, have been duly held up to the grateful admiration 
and the emulation of the present and the rising generations. 

It would be strange, indeed, if the ancient town of Bris- 
tol, whose corporate existence antedates, by near a century, 
the independence of the country, should not join in this gen- 
eral jubilee of commemoration. Her history is rich in mem- 
orable events, her traditions, of romantic interest, stretch 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 81 

back to the colonial and to the Indian period. Among her cit- 
izens have been men of the highest distinction in commerce, 
in politics, in jurisprudence, and in statesmanship, and men 
who haA-e made liberal benetactions to religion, to learning, 
and to charity. She has contributed her fidl share of the 
renown which the State has added to the renown of the na- 
tion. She has taken her position in the advance line of civi- 
lization, and has marched steadil}^ on, keeping even pace 
with its advancing steps. She has a right to survey the past 
with an honest pride ; to congratulate herself on the condi- 
tion of the present, and the prospects of the future. Her 
citizens have taken up the matter with their usual spirit and 
enterprise, and with the thoroughness that distinguishes 
every thing wdiich they undertake. They have marked the 
day by a commemoration, Avhich wall render it doubly mem- 
orable in her annals. The history of her origin, her founda- 
tion and her progress, and of the virtues of her earlier citi- 
zens, has been recited by one of the most eminent of her 
living sons, and her praises have been rendered by the muse 
of another. I can add nothing to the eloquent w^ords and the 
diligent research of the first, who, having made the history 
of all nations his study, has brought his power of generaliza- 
tion and of the selection of striking detail especially to the 
illustration of that of his native town ; and it is given to few, 
certainly not to me, to " build the lofty rhyme." There is 
something more than sentiment ; there is a real value in com- 
memorations of this kind. We cannot understand the pres- 
ent, nor provide for the future, without studying the lessons 
of the past. One of the greatest thinkers in Rhode Island, 
and many men eminent for thought in various departments 
of human study, have flourished in our borders ; a man who 
lived just across the narrow water that divides the State, 
said : " Would to God that men would learn something from 
history ! But it has been well observed that we ever place 
the lantern at the stern, and not at the prow. It sheds its 
11 



82 BI-CENTEXNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

light only on the tumultuous billows of the past. We there 
see the wreck of nations that have committed themselves to 
anarchy, tossing and heaving on the stormy surge. Yet on 
we go, exulting in our superiority over our predecessors, 
heedless of the rocks beneath the 1)0W, until the billows on 
which we are borne sink beneath us and dash us into frag- 
ments." I apprehend that this graceful, elegant passage is 
not strictly accurate in feet ; for we are told that history con- 
stantly repeats itself. The light that illumines the past also 
sheds its reflected rays upon the future, and gives its warning 
and its encouragement, by example. 

Two hundred years ago ! What mighty changes have taken 
place on the ftice of the globe since that time. France was 
then the leading power of Europe. Louis XIV., with his 
army of two hundred thousand men, and his fleet of one hun- 
dred men-of-war, was dreaming of the continental supremacy 
which was accomplished by his successor, the great Napoleon ; 
Charles II., the purchased vassal of Louis, was holding high 
and dissolute revel at Whitehall ; Russia was emerging from 
barbarism under Peter ; the Turks, — if I have not got the date 
with entire accuracy, I deprecate the criticism of my learned 
friend, the orator of the day — but it was at about that time, 
that the Turks were thundering at the gates of Vienna, and 
John Sobieski was hastening to the relief of the Cross, sorely 
beleagued by the Crescent. The interior of the American con- 
tinent was quite unexplored. A narrow line of adventurous 
colonization fringed the Atlantic coast ; but all beyond was 
a pathless wilderness. The vast prairies that are now the 
granary of the world, that feed the millions of both hemis- 
pheres, where rise the palaces of luxury, the centres of com- 
merce, the seats of learning, were the pastures of the buf- 
falo, which shared them with the savage beasts and the 
scarcely less savage aboriginees. The great rivers and lakes 
that now bear the commerce of an empire, were disturbed 
only by the sound of the paddle that drove the Indian's light 
canoe. Of the changes mighter than those of geographical 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF liUISTOL. 83 

discovery and mutations of power, the changes Avrouglit by 
science and art, I do not venture to speak. To touch ever 
so lightl}^ on these would open a discussion which wouhl ex- 
haust your patience, and far exceed the limits of time allotted 
to me. 

Shall those avIio will stand here tAvo hundred years hence, 
and review the proceedings of this day, have such a record 
of progress to look back upon ? Will the race advance as it 
has advanced in the two centuries gone ? or will civilization 
turn back and lose itself in darkness ? No ; the wonderful 
discoveries that have been made, in modern times, in the 
laws of nature and their application to the wants and uses 
and elevation of mankind, forbid the idea. The wildest 
flight of the imagination cannot reach the heiglit that will be 
attained in the conditions of humanity in the next two hun- 
dred years. Things that do not now enter into the dreams 
of enthusiasm will have become accomplished facts. From 
the vantage ground of the present, the future will start to 
liigher aspirations and to nobler accomplishments. 

Let us so improve our advantages that the generations 
that come after us shall hold our example in the reverence 
that we hold those wdio have gone before us ; that they may 
look upon a country, not only teeming with population and 
(Miriched by labor and art, but richer in public virtue and in 
united patriotism. 

Senator Buiinsidk. Tlio next regular toast is : 
William Bradford. 

This will be responded to by a distinguished citizen of 
Rhode Island, who has always been a great favorite in Bris- 
tol, and is identified with the town in a marked way through 
his ancestors. I have the })leasure to introduce to you ex- 
Governor Van Zandt. 



84 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



SPEECH OF EX-GOVEKNOR VAN ZANDT. 

Mr. Toastma.ster and Ladies and Gentlemen : — I have been 
for some time wondering exactly where an ex-Governor be- 
longs ; and since this is the iirst occasion of this sort that I 
have attended si)ice I laid aside the emblems of office in favor 
of my excellent friend, who now tills the executive chair, I 
was affected with some curiosity to know whether or not, 
having been through all the offices in the State, I was now 
expected to begin anew and go all over them again. And I 
can onl}^ account, sir, for my being called upon at this some- 
what early period in our festivities, by the fact that my name is 
linked with that of the great and the good man in whose honor 
this sentiment is proposed. But before I proceed to scatter, 
in my poor way, a few flowers over his grave, you will per- 
mit me to allude, generally, to the festivities of this occasion. 
It seems to me that for the last six or seven years, the air of 
the great republic, from the North to the South, and from the 
East to the West, has been filled with the sweet fragrance of 
its blossoming century-plants. In every State, in every 
town, and in almost every village, the hundredth or the two 
hundredth anniversary of some great event — or some event 
at any rate great to the people who celebrate it, has rolled 
around, and this morning the whole flower opened and the 
whole air Avas fragrant with its perfume. And this is the 
second time, my friends, that your dear old aloe has blos- 
somed in your lovely old town ; and I come here to keep the 
anniversary with you. 

I am, as my friend has said, nearly identified with every- 
body in Bristol. If the toastmaster would allow it, I think I 
should take the liberty, even now, ])efore I leave, of putting 
my arm around Bristol neck. (Laughter.) As I rode 
through your streets, embowered in greenness and rich with 
rainbow decorations that were hung out all along, I saw the 
smoke curling \\\> from the grand old house on Mount Hope 



BT-CKNTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 85 

that stands just by the side of the place where my great- 
grandfather builded and lived. I passed the mansion that his 
hand had erected in your streets. I paused, in my heart, 
even if the procession did not stay its steps, in front of the 
house that my grandfather erected, and where my mother 
was horn ; and is it strange that I came here now^ if not the 
son of Bristol, her grandson and her great-grandson — or per- 
haps I had better say that if not her son, I am her most con- 
stant lover ? 

And you propose a sentiment to the memory of William 
Bradford. So rapidly does time move on, and so fast do 
events tread, one upon the heels of another, that we are too 
apt to forget the great men in the early days of the republic. 
But who was AVilliam Bradford? lie came from old Ply- 
mouth, in Massachusetts, a lineal descendant of the Plymouth 
Governor Bradford, w^ho landed with the Pilgrims. He w^as 
for eighteen years, Mr. President, the Speaker of the House 
of Keprcsentatives in our State. He was a member of the 
Continental Congress. He was a Senator in Congress, and 
he was for three years Lieutenant Governor of this State. 

And since this is the day of memories, you will pardon me 
for being a little personal, and painting for you, just for one 
moment, in my poor way, a picture of my childhood. I 
remember sitting by my grandmother — and she was blind, 
but now she sees — and hearing her tell, when she was nearly 
ninety years old, of the old days of Bristol, when it was 
bombarded b}^ the British fleet, and many of the people fled 
from the town, or the then village, up to Mount Hope for 
refuge and • for safety ; of how Washington visited this fair 
town and passed a week at the Mount with Governor Brad- 
ford ; of how she sat at the table Avith him and heard him 
talk; of how the two, clad in that beautiful, old-fashioned 
attire of black velvet — dressed very much alike — Avitli ruftles 
around their wrists and at their bosoms, and with powdered 
hair, promenaded the piazza and talked together hour after 
hour. And so as she went on, and I drank in her sweet 



86 BI-CENTEKNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

words like a bee resting on a flower, I could see the whole 
picture before me, and it was more vital and real to me, un- 
doubtedly, than if I had seen it m_yself. She told me of the 
good words that Washington spoke. She showed me letters 
yellow with age — and some of them I now have — that he 
wrote William Bradford after he left here. She showed me 
a lock of his hair, and a lock of that of her father, William 
Bradford, of your own town. She suffered me to read 
curious letters of life in Philadelphia, when Gov. Bradford 
was a member of the Senate, and at the time he was in the 
Continental Congress — describing most graphically the polit- 
ical and the social life of that early period of the Republic. 
And so, drinking in words like those, when I Avas a child, 
remembering them ever since, I have come to love Bristol 
for M'hat she then was. And since I have been in public 
life, I have received so many favors and honors at her hands 
that my affection has l)ecome a real and a personal one, for 
the kindness and the honor which the town of Bristol and her 
citizens have done me. 

Senator Burnside. Our excellent friend. Bishop Howe, 
will now present to you a curious manuscript book, and will 
read a poem by Richard Smith, his ancestor, written in 1680. 

Bishop Howe then made a few remarks, introducing the 
literary curiosity referred to, which excited much interest. 
He also read a paper prepared by the venerable Bishop 
Smith, presiding Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church 
of the United States, who was present at the morning exer- 
cises, but was unable to attend nt the dinner. 

MANUSCRIPT OF BISHOP SMITH. 

Friends and Fellow Totvnftmen: — Fearing, from my ex- 
treme old age — more than eighty-six — that I shall not be 
able to deliver, in person, what lam about to write, I entrust 
it to the care of my beloved nephew, better known to you as 
Bishop Howe, to read it on your festival day. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 87 

(A. ) First, you will naturally desire to know what records 
and traditions have been brought down to our times of those 
of our ancestors, who were amongst the first settlers of the 
town of Bristol, Richard Smith, and Deacon Nathaniel Bos- 
worth. This, being personal, may not be worthy of being 
read, but might perhaps be thought deserving a place in 
your printed record. 

(B.) A larger and less questionable place may be allowed 
for the memorable attack upon tlu; town, and the burning of 
no inconsiderable part of it, by the British troops in 1777. 

(C.) The question before us of much larger and more 
enduring interest is, the testimony which the founder of the 
State, Roger Williams, bore to the great principle of perfect 
freedom of conscience in all religious matters. 

To return to our first item, the Smith and Bos worth fami- 
lies amongst the first settlers. Bishop Howe will show you 
a little manuscript volume, given to me by the last Richard, 
of the original stock. It mainly consists of brief outlines 
of Puritan sermons, listened to by the stone mason, Richard 
Smith, for several years, about 1672. The double effs, in- 
stead of the single, the odd shaped ees, and the many abbre- 
viations, make the reading of it rather difficult. Several 
pages show that a little poetic blood flowed through his 
veins, perpetuated and highly improved amongst several of 
his descendants, down to this very time. On one page he 
commemorates a favorite son, Benjamin. On another, there 
is a distich. Of course, these are not at all to be compared 
with the higher flights of one of his contemporaries, a certain 
John Milton, l)ut they shine rather conspicuously along side 
of another, one John Bunyan, and are very devout, which is 
far better : — 

" Close then, my soul, Oh close with Christ, and be 
'• Secure from evil for eternity." 

There is a tradition in the family, that the first child born 
in Bristol would have been his, had he not been ol)liged to 



^8 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

send his wife over to Rhode Ishiiid, in order that she might 
have the necessary medical attendance. 

There is another tradition, concerning onr other ancestor, 
which I fear the records disprove, that Deacon Nathaniel 
Bos worth was one of the six first proprietors of the original 
six thousand acres. At any rate, in point of social position 
he belonged to the same class with the first proprietors. In 
proof of which we find amongst his children, or grand-chil- 
dren, the Rev. Bellamy BosM^orth, a Puritan Divine, as his 
name shows, but of no marked zeal or fiery eloquence, as is 
proved by his never having had a settlement. But this anec- 
dote shows that he was not lightly esteemed by his brethren, 
for, it is related, that having to go to New York, he started 
on horselxick with a pistareen (twenty cents) in his pocket, 
and timing his stops at night to tlie distances of the Con- 
necticut clergy, he returned safely, with the same coin on 
hand. For, in those days, the clerg}^ had free passage over 
the many ferries and the few bridges. 

My dear mother has often told me of her visits to his 
study, adorned, where a cornice should he, by a row of old 
wigs ; he mounted a new one every year. 

(B.) My father, Stephen Smith, and my uncle, Samuel 
Bosworth, were in the service of their country at the time of 
General Sullivan's expedition, when a corps under Lafayette 
was stationed on Fort Hill ; the former a Commissary, the 
latter as his Secretary. I am not informed at Avhat period, 
whether before or after this, a fleet of war vessels entered 
Bristol harbor, and, as a punishment for not complying with 
a requisition for cattle and other stores, commenced sweep- 
ing the narrow neck, at the north end of the town, with 
grape shot, completely preventing ingress or egress by that 
route, and occasionally discharging shells and l^alls over the 
town. I have often heard my uncle describe the events of 
that time ; such, at least, as he himself witnessed, or heard 
discussed on the streets, at the time or afterwards. One 
cannon ball passing over my father's house, went through 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BKISTOL. 89 

Governor Bradford's town house, which stood somewhat 
above it. His old colored servant, witnessing it, immedi- 
ately took up his stool and placed it before the hole, grum- 
bling as he went, " no two balls ever go through the same 
hole." It is matter of conjecture whether the rush of another 
ball close by the head of the Rev. John Burt, the minister 
of the Congregational Church, was the cause of his death, 
but it is a fact that he was (after the bombardment) found 
dead, in a lot, back of his house. 

A small detachment of troops, Hessians, marched through 
the town, burning the Episcopal Church, and several houses, 
and amongst them that of my father, on the very spot, where, 
after it w^as rebuilt, less than twenty years later, I was born. 

A colored man, sexton of the Episcopal Church, for safety, 
had run off. Returning, he was told that the Church had 
been burnt. "Oh, no!" said he, "that cannot be. They 
would never burn our Church ; besides, I am sure it is not 
true, for I have the key in my pocket !" 

(C.) We come now to the graver and most important 
part of our record, not so much for the benefit of Bristol, or 
Rhode Island alone, as for that of all the nations upon earth, 
to the end of time — what Roger Williams, the founder of 
our State, did, for the cause of free thought and free wor- 
ship, in a free State. 

He fled from the severe intolerance of the National Church 
of England, only to encounter the rough intolerance of the 
Established Cong-reo-ational Church in Massachusetts. He 
hoped to find the perfect freedom of conscience he longed for 
among the Baptists. For its sake he became an exile, and 
in time the founder and father of our small free State. 

Towards the close of his eventful life, either from dissatis- 
faction w^ith their organization, or their w^ant of it, or for 
lack of more perfect concord or sympathy with his brethren, 
he seems to have withdrawn himself somewhat from them, 
preferring the title of a seeker. 

12 



90 BI-CENTEXXIAL OF BRISTOL. 

All this time the tire burned within him of an intense 
desire for soniethinii^ better than toleration, however generous 
and free. He did not write, but he intensely felt the words 
I aiu about to quote of a distinguished author, whose name I 
have entirely forgotten : " Toleration, what is it? The very 
word is a badge of bye-gone slavery ! What does it mean? 
Why, that /, your supreme ruler and master, have a sover- 
eign right to compel you to believe, in all religious mat- 
ters, as I believe, and to worship God, as I worship Him; 
but, out of mere condescension and pity, I allow you to 
believe and to worship as you like ! " 

The response was very slow to come even from ]Massachu- 
setts and Connecticut, which is hard to believe, now, when 
there is not a State in the Union of whose very constitution 
it does not form a part. 

If my memory serves me aright, the original Charter of 
Rhode Island was so very liberal in all these respects, that, 
whilst all the other States were adopting new constitutions, 
Rhode Island remained quite satisfied to live under her old 
charter, granted in (1063) until (1843), when the present 
constitution was adopted. 

Soon after my ordination, in the fall of 1818, I had occa- 
sion to pass through a portion of Connecticut. I found many 
people greatly excited over the downfall, as it was expressed, 
of the Standing Order (Congregationalism), brought about 
(in a way that rather shocked me) by the united vote of all 
other denominations, and all the misbelievers and unbelievers 
in the State. And yet I could not but rejoice, for it was 
the triumph of free thought and free worship. A marked 
incident is thought to have contributed in no small degree to 
In-inging it about. An intelligent and substantial Baptist 
farmer, it is said, for twenty successive years, bought a new 
Bible, which was regularly handed over to pay the enforced 
assessment for the established minister's salary. 

Taking all the nations upon earth, there are but few who 
have accepted this grand idea. One of the first iron-bound 



BI-CEXTEXNIAL OF BRISTOL. 91 

governments which accepted it was Sweden. The few Bap- 
tist missionaries who have been laboringr there with sinoTilar 
wisdom, patience, and faithfulness, have recently received 
permission to exist from a Protestant government. Even 
Russia has relaxed its severity, by acknowledging the exis- 
tence of a body of pious Separatists. 

Most wonderful of all, Itah% of all the European States, 
has come nearest to solving the problem of a Free Church in 
a Free State. There is entire and strict equality, both in a 
ci\al and religious sense. In France, civil freedom is ^^ell 
secured, but toleration, instead of equality, for the present, 
rules the hour. 

In the more enlightened States, Germany and England, 
and especially in England, toleration has become and is 
becoming so very expansive, as hardly to be covered by that 
almost obsolete tenn. 

Oh ! for the coming day, when the Christian's Charter of 
Freedom, an open Bible in the hands of an enlightened peo- 
ple, shall make glad all the waste places of the earth. 

It seems to be the gracious puq^ose of our Heavenly Father 
that America shall bear no secondary part in hastening the 
coming of that day, and God forbid that dear Rhode Island, 
small as she is, should be behind the very chief of all her sis- 
ters, in efforts to perfect the diadem with which Christ, at no 
distant day, let us hope, shall be crowned King of Nations, as 
weH as Kinor of Saints ! ! ! 



Senator Burxside. The next regular toast is : 
Brown University. 

AVe are fortunate in having with us to-day, the President 
of this time-honored institution. I have the honor to present 
to vou the Rev. Dr. E. G. Robinson. 



92 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



SPEECH OF PIJESIDENT ROBIXSON. 

Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen: — There is, per- 
haps, a fitness in the recognition of Brown University here 
to-day. The light of that institution first fell upon this State 
from 'the immediately neighboring town of Warren. That 
light of course fell upon the streets and homes of Bristol. 
The light was both of a restraining and of a stimulating in- 
fluence. It was restraining. There is an incident in the 
history of Bristol to which the orator of the day did not 
allude. Soon after the founding of this town, it protected 
itself against evil doers by the erection of stocks and a 
whipping post. During the five years of the continuance of 
Brown University — then " lihode Island College " — in War- 
ren, the stocks fell into disuse, and the whipping post decayed 
and disappeared. Immediately after the removal of Brown 
Universit}^ to Providence, which took place in the year 1770, 
the Town Meeting in 1771, ordered John Rowland to re-erect 
stocks and a whipping-post. It was evident that the restrain- 
ing influence of Brown University had been removed. Its 
influence has been felt among the distinguished men of this 
part of the State for the last century. The most distinguished 
sons of Bristol were graduates of Brown University. Its 
clergy and its gentlemen of other professions I need not 
enumerate. To Brown University is due not a little of the 
credit of the elegance, the eloquence, the philosophical spirit 
of that admirable oration to which you listened to-day. To 
Brown University is due the imagination, the rhythm, the 
rhyme of the admirable poem to which we listened. I need 
enumerate no others. Brown University is closely allied to 
Bristol. Bristol has to-day shown its appreciation of that 
institution. 

Pardon me for a word personal. I have a personal interest 
in this celebration of the town of Bristol. The first of my 
own American ancestors that I know an3i;hing of was a resi- 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BEISTOL. 93 

dent of the nci<>liboriiio- town of llehobotli. He was stimu- 

o o 

lated, with others, by the example of those Boston merchants 
who purchased this hind, wrung from King Philip. They 
purchased what w^as called " The Rehoboth North Purchase," 
out of which were divided the town of Attleboro', in which I 
w^as first permitted to see the light, and the town of Cumber- 
land, which belongs to the State of Rhode Island. But for 
the example of those Boston merchants, I should very likely 
have first seen light on the fair hills of Pappoosesquaw^, or 
some other part of this town. I feel in some sense related 
to the descendants of the first settlers of Bristol. 

But, gentlemen, I have thought to-day several times : 
What did Nathaniel Byfield anticipate as he looked down 
the centuries ? Had he the remotest thought of what w^e to- 
day see, of what this town has accomplished and is to-day 
accomplishing? We have excelled the brighest promise of 
their futurity. 

" Good which they dared not hope for we have seen ; 
A State whose generous will through earth is dealt; 
A State, which balancing herself between 
License and slavish order, dares be free," — 

all attributalde to the principles of those from whom w^e 
descended. 

I have felt, as I have to-day turned my thoughts backward 
and forM^ard, how^ w^e ought to prize the conviction!^ of the 
Puritans. It is easy to criticize them. It is easy to speak 
of their acrid spirit, of their controversies. I tell you, 
friends, it is something to have convictions. It is something 
to be proud of, to l)o descended from men who believed, and 
because they believed, dared to do. And all belief, and all 
daring, is troublesome — troublesome to those who hold the 
convictions ; they quarrel w ith one another, do 3^ou say ? But 
out of their quarrels came strength, and beauty, and order. 
We have entered into their heritage. And I have thought it 
is well for us to remember, on such a day as this, that in our 



94 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

spirit of calm judgment, of criticism, of deprecation of the 
animosities of the past, we ma}' fail to remember that there 
are truths to-day endangered, as there were truths endan- 
dered in the times of the Puritans, and it is well for us to 
ask. What are the perils ? What are the convictions — there 
are some views, some thoughts, some principles, political, 
personal, and even religious, which it is worthwhile to think 
of and suffer for, and if need be, to emigrate and die for. 
We are in danger of forgetting them. The founders of this 
town believed, among their first principles, in education. 
Their first provision was for the school-master and the min- 
ister — the meeting-house and the school-house — primary 
education, education for the child, education for the youth, 
education for the young man. The school, the high school, 
and the college are indissolubly allied. To encourage one, 
is to encourage the other. 

Let me beg you, therefore, cherish the primary school, 
cherish the high school, cherish your college. Brown Uni- 
versity is the college of Rhode Island, and it relies upon the 
sympathy, the support, and the friendship of the sons of 
Rhode Island. As an immediate neighbor of Rhode Island 
by birth, I feel that in a certain sense I am a Rhode Islander. 
Standing in my old homestead, as I almost l)are one foot in 
Massachusetts and one in Rhode Island, and I stretch out the 
hand, rejoicing that I was born in Massachusetts, and equally 
rejoicing that I was born so near to the State of Rhode Isl- 
and. So that all that belongs to the distinguished history of 
Rhode Island and Massachusetts — admiral^ly blended in this 
town of Massachusetts origin and of Rhode Island history — 
we alike may cherish all that is good and praiseworthy in 
education and in religious teaching. 

Senator Burnside. The next toast is : 

" The Providence Light Infantry Veteran Association : — 
We honor them for the interest they manifest in historic 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BKISTOL. 95 

matters. Their participation in our celebration to-day, is 
cause for ofratulation." 



This toast will be responded to by a distinguished divine, 
who has been a great favorite in Bristol ever since he came 
to Rhode Island. I present to you lit. Rev. Bishop Clark. 



SPEECH OF BISHOP CLARK. 

M)'. Toastmaster and Ladies and Gentlemen : — It is natu- 
ral that our A'^eteran Association should manifest an interest 
in historic matters. We ourselves are beginning to be his- 
torical, and yet we hope the time is far distant, when it will 
be said of us, 

" Superfluous lag the veterans on the stage." 

We are glad that we were not so far advanced in years, 
as to prevent us from participating in this delightful celebra- 
tion. We have marched with you through your pleasant 
streets, and seen how the old town of Bristol still continues 
to glow with the life and joy of youth. You have inherited 
a goodly legacy from your fathers. 

I have been asked on this occasion just "to say a word." 
That I consider equivalent to a request that I shall not make 
a speech. I am very glad it is so. It seems to me some- 
what of an impertinence for an3d3ody who has not had the 
good fortune to be born and bred in Bristol to make any 
appearance on this occasion. After such indications of trans- 
cendent talent and complete culture as have been presented 
to us to-day, both by the orator and the poet, and by others 
who have spoken, it seems becoming in all outsiders to keep 
silence. 

There is one thing about Bristol which is not so peculiar 
to this place. It belongs to all these decayed seaboard 
towns, in one of which I had the good fortune to be born and 
bred — the old town of Newburyport, Massachusetts, which 
was a kind of fac-simile of Bristol. It is a peculiarity of 



96 ■ BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

these places that all their children seem to cherish a very 
special attachment to their birth-place. Wherever they go 
— and they have the faculty of going almost everywhere — 
their motto seems to be always : " My heart imtravelled, still 
turns," — w^ell, to Bristol, or Newburyport, or wherever the 
place may be. And so, to all Bristol people, Bristol is the 
centre of all things, the centre of their affections, the centre 
of the land, the centre of the world, and in some sense the 
centre of the universe. 

Now this is a feelino^ w^orth cherish ing; ; for a man who 
does not care about the place where he was born, cannot be 
good for much. To be sure if it had been our fortune 
to be born in the centre of one of the great flat prairies of 
the West, where there is nothing of mountain or valley, or 
forest, or brook, or stream, to vary the landscape, it might 
be difficult to get up any attachment to our birth-place. 
But with such surroundings as you have here, there is no such 
difficulty. And even the old mouldering peculiarities of 
the place — the quiet streets, the ancient, weird sail-lofts down 
on the wharf, and the little relics that remain of a past com- 
mercial prosperity, have their peculiar charm, and they hold 
us as with an iron grasp. We never get away from the 
influences and associations of our native town. 

I rejoice to have been here to-day. I rejoice in the fact 
that so many of the sons and daughters of Bristol have come 
home to their old mother to do her honor. And if any of us 
are so fortunate as to live to meet our successors here on the 
next centennial, I hope that we shall cherish the memory of 
those who have addressed us to-day, and who have left an 
impression upon our minds which is indellible. 

Senator Burnside. The next regular toast is : 

The Rhode Island Historical Society. 

This will be responded to by one of Rhode Island's dis- 
tinguished and venerable citizens, President of the Historical 
Society, Hon. Zachariah Allen, of Providence. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 97 



SPEECH OF HON. ZACHAEIAH ALLEN. 

Mr. Pretiident and Ladies and Gentlemen : — The members 
of the Rhode Island Historical Society join, with others, in 
cordially congratulating the good people of Bristol on the 
two hundredth anniversary of the planting of their pleasant 
town*. They all unite also in praising the hospitality they 
have received, and in complimenting the distinguished citi- 
zen who has enlightened them by presenting some of the 
historical details, to the study of which he has been devoted 
professionally during his entire life. Still his allusion, in 
the course of his remarks, to the good old Massasoit, has 
opened a field which deserves further investigation concern- 
ing the merits of that noble chief, and concerning the friend- 
ship which existed for many years between him and the 
founder of the State of Rhode Island. Having investigated 
this subject for some time past, I have become convinced 
that had it not been for the befriending of Roger Williams by 
Massasoit, and his hospitable reception of him when he was 
expelled from Massachusetts and fled into the wilderness, he 
would have been sent away from Boston on board the vessel 
then waiting in the harbor, and transported back to England, 
precisely as the two brothers Brown had been transported 
l)ack to England, for their opinions in matters of religion. 
He had, however, some place to flee to, sure friends to receive 
him during those cold, bitter days of winter ; otherwise he 
must have been carried across the water, and could not have 
been the founder of the State of Rhode Island. I look upon 
it, therefore, as owing especially to the friendship of Massa- 
soit, that Rhode Island now^ exists. There M^ould not have 
been any Rhode Island had it not been for that friendship ; 
for the Massachusetts people w^ould have al^sorl^ed this State 
as they soon afterwards absorbed the other little colonies, and 
amalgamated them into one. There would have been no 
establishment here of religious liberty, or of a constitutional 

13 



98 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

basis of a free State. I hope that the discussion of this theme, 
which has been opened by the historian to-day, may be 
further pursued, and that due justice and credit may be 
awarded to Massasoit in this regard. 

The following poem is from the pen of a son of Bristol 
" b}' adoption," his wife being a native : 



POEM ON THE BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, 
BY E. W. ROBBINS, A. M. 

Two hundred j'ears have come and goue — 

Of sunshine and of shade, 
Since on this memorable spot, 

In faith and prayer were laid 
The first foundations of this town, 

Distinguished in our State, 
Whose annals at the old hearth-stone, 

To-day we celebrate ! 

' Tis well at this convivial board 

We should their deeds recall — 
Immortal founders of the race. 

In our home festival — 
Walley, and Byfield', Oliver, 

And Burton, with their peers. 
(Whose names these trees* perpetuate) 

Of the two hundred years — 

Descendants of the Pilgrim sires, 
(Sprung from no common stock). 

Who trod the May Flower's wintry deck, 
And hallowed Plymouth Rock — 



1. The Byfield School— so called in honor of Hon. Nathaniel Byfield, this early ben- 
efactor to the town— is his latest, and, perhaps, best monument. The late Rev. Dr. 
Shei'Ard, pastor of the Congregational Church, whose portrait hangs side by side with 
that of Judge Byfield, in the above building, was no less devoted to the cause of education. 

2. Referring to the planting of four memorial trees on the Common, in honor of the four 
founders of the town. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 99 

Howland' and Buadford''— him renowned 

Alike witli sword and pen, 
Of Plymoutli Colony the chief— 

A princely man of men. 

Nor in this brief review forg:ot, 

(Perchance left in the lurch) 
The brave Miles Standish of his time, — 

Heroic Captain Church,^ 
Who eminent in Church and State, 

An added laurel wore, — 
Who slew the Warapanoag's pride. 

And its dread Sagamore! 



Two hundred years have come and gone— 

And Bristol sits to-day. 
Nor yet like Venice— discrowned Queen, 

By her bright, beauteous bay. 
Still musing on her splendors past, 

Which this gay sight recalls, — 
On her rich freighted Argosies, 

And her Armada walls,— 

(Save, where invaded by the foe^ 

In scene of ruthless strife, 
The flaming fire-brand'' was applied 

To desolate her life;") 
In factory and dock-yard, now, 

Once more the stranger greets 
The hum of active industry 

Resounding in her streets. 

1. Jolin Howlantl, (a lineal descendant of whom, Mrs. Rebecca Smith, has lately de- 
ceased at the great age of nearly 99 j'ears). From him are derived the Howlauds of New- 
port and Bristol. 

2. Hon. Wm. Bradford, second Governor of Plymouth Colony, was both a military 
leader and an historian. His son, Wm. Bradford, was Deputy Governor of the same Col- 
ony. Governor Wm. Bradford, of Rhode Island, was his lineal descendant; also. Major 
Wm. Bradford. These still are represented by their descendants, living in Bristol. 

3. Capt. Benjamin Church, a son of Richard Church, was born in Plymouth, Mass., 
and married Alice Southworth, the granddaughter of the distinguished wife of the first 
Governor Bradford. He was at the head of the party by whom King Philip was slain in the 
swamp at the foot of Mount Hope. 

4. Bristol was invaded by tlie combined forces of the British and Hessians, May 25, 
1777, resulting in the burning of a part of the town, and the taking of some prisoners. 
Before this, in 1775, a British squadron fired on the town. 



100 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

Nor yet unfitting in tliis place 

Their praises just, to speak, 
Tlie proof of wliose munificence 

We liave not far to seek- 
Yon graceful structures late proclaim, 

Which to our view appear — 
Religion, Education, both 

Have found their patrons' here! 

Then, to haud down to future times 

The glories of this day. 
Let the historian'^ weave his web — 

The poet''' sing his lay — 
As rises near yon eminence. 

With its green, beckoning slope. 
One backward glance to— Memory— 

The future trust to— Hope ! ^ 
Kensington, Berlin, Conn., September, 1880. 

1. The Memorial Chapel of the Congregational Church, and the Rogers' Free Library, 
will long perpetuate— the former, the memory of the munificent donors, Miss Charlotte 
DcWolf, and Mrs. Maria DeWolf Rogers, whose modesty is equalled only by their benevo- 
lence — the latter is the gift of Mrs. Rogers, iu memory of her deceased husband, Mr. 
Robert Rogers. 

2. The historian, and poet, of this occasion. 

3. Mount Hope. To those not " to the manner born," it will be enough to say, that it 
is a picturesque and romantic height in Bristol, R. I., and noted as being the residence 
of Philip, the Chief Sachem of the Wampanoags. 

Senator Burxside. The next regular toast is : 

The Honoi^ed Dead. 

This toast will be responded to by the Hon. J. Russell 
Bullock. 

SPEECH OF JUDGE BULLOCK. 

Mr. Toastmaster, Ladies and Gtntlemen: — In responding 
to this sentiment, it will not be expected that I should speak 
of the many men, now gone, who in their day and generation 
filled important official stations among us, and exercised a 
controlling influence both in the councils of the town and of 
the state. There was Simeon Potter, and Governor Brad- 
ford, and after them Judge Bourn, and James D'AVolf ; all 
stalwart men, eminent in their various callings, and the im- 
press of whose lives remain among us, even unto this day. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 101 

I shall come down to a later generation, and speak of one 
whom I knew, and who, descending from an early settler of 
Bristol, was himself born here, passed here the three-score 
and ten years allotted to life, and was here gathered to his 
fathers ; and who, so far as I know, has been the only native 
of Bristol ever chosen to the office of Governor of the State. 
I refer to Byron Dim an. 

After receiving the usual academic education of his day, 
Governor Diman entered the counting-room of the late 
James D'Wolf as a clerk, and remained there many years, 
and until the death of that eminent merchant. During the 
latter part of Mr. D' Wolf's life, Governor Diman became 
his confidential adviser, and was entrusted by his employer 
with large and responsible business duties. After his death. 
Governor Diman was intimately associated with the acting 
executors of Mr. D'Wolf's will, in the care, management, 
and settlement of his large estate. This embraced extensive 
and complex landed, commercial, and manufacturing inter- 
ests, in different States, and in a foreign country. 

This service to the family of his late friend and early pa- 
tron, no one else could render as he could ; but he rendered 
it cheerfully, and in some measure without a compensation 
adequate to its value, and often under circumstances of em- 
barrassment and disadvantage to himself ; for there was no 
streak of avarice in his composition. 

In person, Governor Diman was tall, well proportioned, 
erect in mien, and of a commanding presence. 

In character, he was Avhat I call a large-hearted man, hos- 
pitable, a good neighbor, public spirited, generous, charit- 
able to the poor of every sect, loving his friends, and not 
hating his enemies. 

In politics, Governor Diman was a Henry Clay AVhig, 
and a Puritan of the Plymouth Rock school in his religion. 
He early imbibed these principles, and whatever change of 
name these principles underwent through the mutations of 
time and parties, he still adhered to them, or what he believed 



102 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

to be the representative of them, to the close of his life. 
Strong and sincere as he was in these his beliefs, he was 
ever tolerant of the opinions of others. 

Governor Diman was the most observing man I ever knew. 
When business called him, as it often did, away from his 
home, he saw everything, and appreciated and remembered 
everything that he saw. His power in this respect was 
remarkable. And this knowledge so acquired did not lay 
loose in his mind. He analyzed it and weighed it, and 
applied it to use in life. In conversation he would often 
draw from this store-house, much to the amusement and 
instruction of his friends. 

For many years it was my good fortune to sustain intimate 
personal, political and professional relations with Byron 
Diman. I never knew him to harbor an unworthy motive, 
or be guilty of an ignoble act to others. 

He served his town and state in many public trusts. He 
was often elected to represent Bristol in the House of Repre- 
sentatives, several times in the State Senate, for three suc- 
cessive years he was chosen Lieutenant-Governor, and in 
184(5 was chosen Governor. His official duties he discharged 
with uniform ability and fidelity. His official honors he wore 
with becoming modesty. 

The traditions and early history of his town, Governor 
Diman was quite familiar with, and he loved to dwell upon 
them. He took a deep interest in whatever promoted its 
well being and prosperity. 

In our past annals may be found men more successful as 
merchants, more distinguished as legislators, more eminent 
and highly gifted as public speakers ; but no grave in that 
ancient cemetery near by us, or in those on yonder hills, 
holds the mortal remains of a more devoted son of Bristol, 
or of a truer Rhode Islander, than the grave of Byron Diman. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BKISTOL. 103 

The "feast of reason " at the table ended all too soon, 
leaving much unsaid that would, otherwise, have been 
spoken. There were many honored guests present, other 
than those who had spoken, to whom it would have been a 
delight to listen, had time permitted. Notably of this number 
we take i)leasure in naming the venerable Rev. Joel jNIann, 
of New Haven, Conn., who, albeit in his ninety-second year, 
was able to make the journey from New Haven to Bristol 
unattended. He rode in the procession, and was present at 
the table. Mr. Mann came to Bristol in 1815, and for 
twelve years was associated with the late Rev. Henry Wight, 
D. D., grandfather of the historian of the day, in the pasto- 
ral charge of the Congregational Church. He resigned in 
1827, and removed from Bristol ; yet, during the more than 
half a century that has since elapsed, he has kept up his inter- 
est in the town and its people, and made frequent visits here. 

But the " low declining sun " admonished that the " flow of 
soul" must cease, and our distinguished Toastmaster was 
reluctantly compelled to close the exercises in the tent, in 
order that the " Tree Planting " might be proceeded with on 
the Common. 



MEMORIAL TREES. 



The planting of four ^SIemouial Trees, to the memory of 
the original proprietors of the town, came immediately after 
the exercises in the dining tent. 

The committee having charge of this matter, had in early 
spring placed this number of trees in large casks, and after 
they had formed a part of the public procession of the day, 
were then each put in their intended places. 

The one north from the centre of the Common was first 
planted. 

Mr. Babbitt, the chairman of the committee, in introduc- 
ing the subject, spoke as follows : 

REMARKS OF EDWARD S. BABBITT. 

Fellow Citizens, Sons and Daughters of Bristol, and 
Visiting Friends : — We have come to the concluding and 
most important part of our celel)ration. What we have 
listened to with so much profit and pleasure will soon be 
forgotten, and, if desired, must be sought from between the 
covers of a book ; and the remem1)rance of the feast from 
which we have just risen "svill soon be lost with our 
departure. But the result of that which we now propose to 
do will continue on for ages to come. While the wide- 
spreading branches of these trees catch the heat and moisture 
of heaven, and their deep-reaching roots draw from the earth 
their strength to put on each year their livery of green, they 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 105 

Avill ever be honoring the memoiy of those who formerly 
owned the very ground from which they draw their life. 
Let us hope that all who follow us, as they see these evi- 
dences of our appreciation of the work done by the original 
})roprietors of the town, will be inspired to keep green in 
their memory the names of those whose wide views and gen- 
erous impulses gave us this ample Common, our wide, tree- 
lined avenues, and stamped upon the town that which now 
renders it so inviting to all who visit it. By this act of ours, 
we say all honor to the memory of Byfield, Walley, Bur- 
ton and Oliver. Let their names have a living existence in 
these trees. 

The Nathaniel Oliver Tree. 

The tree now planted is to keep alive the name of 
Nathaniel Oliver, and his successor, Nathan Hayman. We 
are most fortunate in having with us to-day a direct descend- 
ant of Nathaniel Oliver, and separated from him by only 
three removes. Gen. Henry K. Oliver, now Mayor of Salem, 
Mass. 

REMARKS OF GEN. OLIVER. 

After In-ief introductory remarks, expressive of his gratifi- 
cation at participating in the ceremonies of the day. Mayor 
Oliver said : In the year 1632, there came from England to 
Boston (and, for satisfactory reasons, it is believed from 
the old city of Bristol, whence, perhaps, the suggestion 
of the name of your town), an emigrant Puritan bearing the 
name of Thomas Oliver. He was a " chimegeon " (surgeon) 
by profession, and brought with him his wife Anne, and 
seven children, they coming in the ship Lyon, with the fam- 
ily of Governor Winthrop, the Governor having himself pre- 
ceded them, and landing at Salem in 1630. Thomas Oliver 
appears to have been greatly respected and beloved in the 
young town, and I find that by a vote of the people in 1646, 

14 



106 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

it was declared that no horses should be kept on Boston 
Common among the seventy cows allowed to pasture there, 
" except that the horse of good Elder Thomas Oliver may 
continue there." He was Ruling Elder of the First Church 
of Boston, " distinguished as an apt scholar, occasionally 
preaching, and highly esteemed for his gentleness of temper, 
generous heart, pure life, and liberal public service." Very 
many of his descendants have been graduates of our colleges, 
and many distinguished in professional, mercantile, and pub- 
lic life. Of forty-five Olivers who are alumni of Harvard 
and Dartmouth, up to the present date, thirty-six are known 
to ])e his descendants, and there are very many more from in- 
termarrying families, l>earing, of course, other names ; among 
them being Brattles, Hutchinsons, Lyndes, Bradstreets, 
Wendells, Prescotts, Vintons, and Appletons. 

Of the seven children of Thomas Oliver, one of them, 
Nathaniel, was, in 1633, most unfortunately, most sadly, 
and suddenly killed by the fall of a tree, which he, then a 
lad of fifteen years of age, was felling, whilst his father was 
at work near by. The sadness of that event, and the tender- 
ness of heart which ensued, caused the name of Nathaniel to 
be perpetuated for the coming generations, and it has been 
continued down to the present day. 

The Puritan Thomas had a son Peter, a Boston merchant, 
Mho, by his wife Sarah Newdigate, had a son, Nathaniel 
Oliver, whom I will call your Nathaniel Oliver. Born in 
Boston, in 1652, he there married (in 1677) Elizal)eth, 
daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Tyng) Brattle. This 
Nathaniel, by his wife Elizabeth (Brattle), had, in 1684, a 
son Nathaniel, who, graduating in 1701, at Harvard, became 
a Boston merchant, marrying, in 1709, Martha Hobbs, a 
rich heiress, b}^ whom he had a son Nathaniel, in 1713, — 
who, graduating at Harvard in 1733, became a lawyer in 
Boston, where he married, in 1741, Mercy, daughter of Hon. 
Jacob "Wendell, their son, Nathaniel, born in 1744, dying in 
1750. Another son, Rev. Daniel Oliver, born in 1753, and 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 107 

graduated at Dartmouth in 1785, had, also, by his wife, 
Elizabeth Kemble, a son Nathaniel K. G., born in 1790, a 
graduate of Harvard in 1809, brother of the present speaker. 
He was a lawyer and teacher, dying in 1832, and leaving a 
son, by his wife Anne T. Hunt, named also Nathaniel 
( Cordis ) , born in 1 830 , and dying unmarried in 1 8 63 . There 
thus appears a sequence of eight Nathaniel Olivers, and there 
were others in other branches of the family. Your Nathaniel 
Oliver was a Boston merchant, and a most sagacious, most 
successful, most thoughtful, most highly accomplished and 
entei-prising gentleman. He achieved a fortune, which for 
those days was considered simply enormous, namely, a sum 
something near £5,000 sterling, the purchasing power of 
which at this day would be upwards of $200,000. In con- 
nection with the gentlemen whose names have been repeated 
to you very often to-day, he joined in the projection of this 
town. Seeing its very great beauty now for the first time — 
seeing the beauty of its streets, the intellectual beaming of 
the faces of its men and the beauty of its women, I regret that 
he did not come here to live, that I, his great-great grandson, 
might have been born here within your limits, and perhaps, 
an owner of some of his fair possessions. It is a remarkable 
thing and a very sad thing to their remote generations, that 
great-great grandfathers never think much of their great- 
great grandchildren. And it seems to me that ought not to 
be so ; for why should not a reasonable man of ordinary 
aspirations desire to own two or three acres down here in the 
middle of your town, for instance — which might have come 
to my share if my great-great grandfather had only thought 
of me? My friend. Col. Higginson, in a speech which he 
delivered a while ag^o in behalf of Gov. Lono^, on the two- 
hundredth anniversary of the landing of Winthrop, said that 
he wished his ancestor had let him have Salem Neck, and I 
really wish that I had some such share of my great-great 
grandfather's property here ; but he sold it to Nathan Hay- 
man, as I understand it ; so that I was entirely cut oft', and it 



108 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

don't strike me as just the fair thing. Cannot you correct 
the ])lunder? (Laughter.) By the way he was about 
twenty-eight years of age when he entered into this enter- 
prise, but I learn that although selling out, he never lost his 
interest in the town of Bristol. He kept it alive all his days, 
and he presented to you in those earl}^ years a bell which, as 
you were then a small people and had not the benefit of a 
tall steeple, was swung up in some tree which my records 
tell me was on the northwest corner of State and High 
streets, within sight and sound, I l)elieve, of this place. It 
was swung in a tree — and that suggests to me some incidents 
in the history of my own town of Salem, where in 1662 cer- 
tain bells of another kind, sometimes called beldames, were 
hanged upon trees. It is pretty well known that our good 
old town is renowned for the persecution of persons alleged 
to have been wizards and witches, who were accused, tried, 
condemned, and hanged. And not only did they hang the 
he-witches, but they hung she-witches, including one Mrs. 
Bridget (Oliver) Bishop, one of our tribe ; and it is on record 
that they squeezed to death a certain Goodman Giles Corey, 
by enclosing him between mother earth and a stone-laden 
plank, as tliough it were possible to exterminate witchcraft 
by neck-roping, or by killing weight. Why, my friends, 
the witchery of Salem women has been transmitted all along 
its subsequent history, and prevails in full force to this day, 
and there is no respectable young man who reaches the age 
of twenty years, without being " bewitched " as I was sixty 
years ago. I know it is so, and bear personal testimony to 
the fact. Now the later and latter witches, distinguished 
for intellect and for beauty, and practical common sense, 
have never objected to the process of squeezing, if performed 
with a reasonable degree of pressure, the squeezers gently 
tempering the force to the squeezees, and not overdoing the 
thing. 

Well, your Nathaniel Oliver also appeared in behalf of 
your town at the General Court of Massachusetts, and re- 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 109 

mained during all his life (dying in 1707) a fast friend of the 
town of Bristol. Moreover he was a man of energetic pluck. 
There was no cowardice in him — no shrinking from princi- 
ples. He was of just that class which the President of Brown 
University so admirably portrayed at to-day's dinner, and 
when that tyrant Androsgotto be very obnoxious, Nathaniel 
Oliver, with his brother-in-law. Col. John Eyre, and eleven 
others (thirteen in all) drew up a protest and demanded a 
surrender by Andros of all power that he held under the 
Crown. Sir Edmund had to take refuge within the fort at 
Boston. Nathaniel Oliver, with his brother-in-law, bore the 
summons for his surrender, presented it to him, and he suc- 
cumbed. He yielded, and resigned the Governorship of 
Massachusetts. Now I like to think of an ancestor who 
would do a thing of that sort without fear or favor. If you 
feel any gratitude toward him, I feel a great pride in him. 
Let me say to you, if you have any pleasure in it, that the 
family of Oliver in the eastern part of Massachusetts has been 
connected by relationship and historic association w^ith all the 
ancient families of that commonwealth. 

Nathan Hayman, to whom Nathaniel Oliver sold out, came 
here, lived here, and died here, leaving no issue, as far as I 
can learn. He lies buried about six feet from the east wall 
of the Eastern Cemetery, and buried there, his grave-stone, 
I understand, was found and turned to account as a useful 
point by which to verify the location of the avenues and 
streets of your Ijeautiful town. 

So, then, in memory of your and my Nathaniel Oliver, 
and in memory of Nathan Hayman, I dedicate this tree and 
plant it. Ma}^ the dews and waters of heaven, the warmth 
of a genial sun, and the blessing of a divine Providence, 
cause the tree to take root and grow, and live to shelter 
those of your descendants who may take refuge beneath its 
boufrhs. 



110 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

At the conclusion of the address and whilst the earth was 
being placed about the roots of the tree, a selection of music 
was rendered by the Boston Cadet Band. 

The Stephex Bukton Tree. 

The tree east of the centre of the Common was next 
planted . The chairman introduced the speaker as follows : 

We have been unable to find any descendant from Stephen 
Burton to dedicate this tree to his memory, but would intro- 
duce to you our townsman, Wilfred H. Munro, who has 
kindly consented to speak to us in his behalf. 

ADDRESS OF WILFRED H. IIUXRO. 

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: — As the name of 
Stephen Burton is pronounced, there rises before my eyes 
the figure of a tall and slender man, whose appearance is in 
marked contrast with that of his two more prominent asso- 
ciates. He does not show the intense vitality and the impe- 
rious will which every action of Byfield proclaims ; neither 
does he possess the great executive ability which is manifest 
in the easy bearing of Walley. His brow is seamed with the 
lines of anxious thought ; his foce is pale and thin ; his bent 
head and stooping shoulders indicate the scholar rather than 
the man of business, while his restless eye and sallow cheek 
hint at the existence of some trouble which he is vainly seek- 
ing to avoid. 

The rays of the setting sun warn me that I must attempt 
only the briefest possible sketch of the career of Mr. Burton. 
He was the most scholarl}^ man of the four proprietors, and 
is said to have been educated at the University of Oxford. 
Beyond this we know almost nothing of his life in England 
and in this country, until his name appears as one of the pur- 
chasers of the Mount Hope lands. He was the first record- 
ing officer of the county of Bristol. In his office of Clerk of 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BlilSTOL. Ill 

the Peace, he exercised the functions which are now divided 
among several different officers. He was at the same time 
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, Register of Probate, 
and Register of Deeds. The care with which he performed 
the duties of his position is indicated in his clear and beauti- 
ful handwriting, and the fact that he was five times chosen 
to represent the town at the General Court of Massachusetts, 
shows how highly he was esteemed by his fellow townsmen. 
Quiet and retiring in disposition, he seems to have had no 
share in the disputes in which his associates were often in- 
volved. Against the mental disorder which was preying 
upon him, he struggled manfully until the last year of his 
life, but ])eing at last unnerved by its constant attacks, neg- 
lected his business and became only the wreck of his former 
self. Death came mercifully to his relief before his reason 
gave Avay under the terrible strain. He died on the 2 2d ot 
July, 1693, the only one of the four original proprietors who 
ended his days in Bristol. Byfield, Walley and Oliver all 
died in Boston. His house stood upon Burton street, until 
it Avas burned by the British troops in 1777. 

The elm which is here planted to his memory fitly typifies 
his character. Symmetrical is its form, and fair appears its 
promise, but ere long its limbs will begin to droop as did the 
spirit of him whom it commemorates, under the weight of 
the trouble which at last wore his life away. It will not 
command our admiration and respect, as will the massive 
strength of the Byfield oak, but its slender limbs will ever 
appeal touchingly to us for sympathy, even as the gentle 
nature of Burton appealed to the kindly feelings of our ances- 
tors two hundred years ago. 

The John AV alley Tkee. 

The tree south of the centre of the Common came next in 
turn. As in the former case, the committee was unable to 
obtain the services of any descendant of John Walley for this 



112 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

interesting duty, being disappointed in their hopes that Hon. 
"Wendell Phillips, orHenshawB. Walley, of Boston, as such, 
would be present ; but sickness prevented, and the duty of 
the occasion was discharged by William J. Miller, of Bris- 
tol, R. I., as follows : 

ADDRESS OF WILLIAM J. MILLER. 

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: — The proprie- 
tor in whose honor we plant this tree is John Walley. 
Mr. Walley was an earnest co-worker with Bytield and 
his associates in the settlement of the town, and took a 
leading part in the affairs of both church and State. His 
father was Rev. Thomas Walley, of London, at one time 
rector of St. Mary's, Whitechapel, and who, with seven other 
divines, arrived at Boston, from London, in the " Society," 
Capt. Pierce, on the 24th of May, 1663. He died March 
24th, 1678, aged 61 years. 

John came to this country before his father, and settled 
in Boston. He removed from Boston to Bristol in 1680. 
The substantial structure that he built, and in which he 
resided, is still standing on the north side of State street, and 
is known as the Walley House. While a resident of Boston 
he was successfully engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was 
for a time Judge of the Superior Court of Massachusetts, 
and a memljer of the Governor's Council. In 1690, ten years 
after he had become a resident of Bristol, he commanded the 
land forces in the expedition of Sir William Phipps against 
Canada, and published a journal of the same. In the latter 
part of his life he returned to Boston from Bristol, and died 
there on tlie 11th of January, 1712, aged QS years. 

His biographer says : " The high trusts imposed by his 
country were discharged with ability and fidelity. To 
his wisdom as a councillor and his impartiality as a judge, 
he added an uncommon SAveetness and candor of spirit, and 
the various virtues of the Christian. His faith was justified 
by his integrity, his works of piety and charity." 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 113 



The Nathaniel Byfield Tree. 

The tree west of the centre of the Common was next in 
turn, and in this case the committee Avas as fortunate as in the 
first phmtecl. They had secured the services of Hon. Francis 
Brinley, of Newport, five removes from Nathaniel Byfield, 
who, in the following address, dedicated the tree to his 
ancestor : 

ADDRESS OF HON. FRANCIS BRINLEY. 

When in the gladsome days of youth I used to contem- 
plate with honest pride the old family portrait of Judge 
Byfield, it never flitted across my mind that I should be 
invited to participate in ceremonies designed to commemorate 
the settlement of this ancient town, of which he was one of 
the original founders. Yet such is the curious mutation of 
human events, that here I stand environed by the sunny 
landscape, and the sparkling waters, whose combined charms, 
two hundred years ago, attracted his observant eye, and 
induced him to make this picturesque spot his chosen home. 
Here I am almost in sight of the place where stood his modest 
mansion, and of the secluded grave in which he reverently 
laid the loved and the lost. 

I am aware of the necessity of reducing to shape compact 
what I have to say in regard to Nathaniel Byfield. I will 
endeavor to comply with the proprieties of the occasion, and 
content myself with but little more than an enumeration of 
some of his distinguishing characteristics, and of his public 
honors. 

He was born in England in the year 1653. His father was 
the Rev. Richard Byfield, the laborious, faithful pastor of 
Long Dutton in Surrey, and one of the divines of the famous 
"Westminster Assembly." His mother was of the noted 
family of the Juxons. He was the youngest of twenty-one 
15 



114 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

children, and one of the sixteen who, on bright and cahn 
Sabbath mornings, followed their pious parents to the house 
of public A\^orship. How irresistably spring to mind the lines 
of Coleridge : 

" <>, sweeter than the marriage feast, 
'Tis sweeter far to me, 
To walk beside thee to the kirk 
With a goodly coinpanj'; 
To walk together to the kirk 
And all together pray. 
While each to his Great Father bends- 
Old men, and babes, and loving friends, 
And yonths and maidens gay." 

I have not been able to detect even a glimmering of the 
motives which prompted him to leave the delights of the 
domestic hearth for the hardships of a residence in this west- 
ern world. Probably it was the early manifestation of that 
activity and spirit of enterprise which were so strikingly 
exhibited in his subsequent career. He arrived in Boston in 
the year 1G74. About a year thereafter he married Deborah 
Clarke, an estimable gentlewoman of Boston, with whom he 
lived most happily for over forty years. She died much 
lamented in 1717. 

Judge Bytield was married twice, his second wife being 
(to use a phrase applied to her) " the honorable and devout 
daughter " of Governor Leverett. 

By his first wife there were five, his only children, three 
of whom died when young ; the other two lived to be mar- 
ried, the younger one to Lieut. -Gov. Tailer, and the other 
to Edward Lyde, Esq., of Boston. A daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. Lyde married Col. Francis Brinley, of Roxbury, my 
o-reat-o-randfather. 

o o 

Not long after the termination of King Philip's war, the 
General Court of Massachusetts appointed a committee to 
sell the Mount Hope lands, and on the 14th of September, 
1680, they were conveyed to John Walley, Nathaniel By- 
field, Stephen Barton, and Nathaniel Oliver, all of Boston. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 115 

Byfield removed to this place the year of its incorporation as 
the town of Bristol. Here he lived until the year 1724, 
when, by reason of his advanced age, he concluded to return 
to Boston, his first home, Avhere he died on the 6th of June, 
1733, in the 80th year of his age. 

He was a devout Christian. The lo^e of religion, which 
was impressed upon him in youth b^^ his exemplary parents, 
was never eifaced. It guided him through his long life, and 
will account for the respect and confidence which his very 
presence inspired. 

Before the tapering spires of churches invaded the blue 
sky of Bristol, the doors of his house were always open to 
those who wished to worship God in sincerity and truth. 
When a Congregational Society was duly organized here, he 
presented to it a communion service, which is yet preserved 
for the sacred use for which it was intended. 

On the return of Judge Byfield to Boston, he joined the 
Society of which the Rev. Charles Chauncy and the Rev. 
Thomas Foxcroft Avere the joint pastors. The former 
preached a sermon on the death of Judge Byfield, which was 
printed in 1733, together with a valuable prefix by Mr. Fox- 
croft. Both of these clergymen testify to the profound relig- 
ious character and the diffusive benevolence of Judge Byfield, 
who made it a rule for forty years, annually to give away, or 
pay, as he preferred to say, a certain portion of his income 
for charitable purposes. 

Byfield, like the eminent author of the Decline and Fall of 
the Roman Empire, showed by his example that he consid- 
ered a citizen soldiery the cheapest and safest defence of nat- 
ural freedom. Gibbon, in his autobiography, states with 
apparent satisfaction, that the information he obtained as a 
member of a militia company enabled him to comprehend, 
appreciate, and describe the complex organizations of the 
vast armies of Imperial Rome. It is most proljable that the 
habits of order, regularity and exactitude which Byfield 
acquired in the ranks, or as an officer up to the rank of Col- 



116 BI-CEXTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

onel, were carried by him to the performances of all official 
duties, and to the management of his private affairs. So 
wisely did he conduct the latter, that he accumulated a hand- 
some estate, for those days, which he liberally used. It may 
be said of him, as Gibbon states of Antoninus Pius, "he en- 
joyed with moderation the conveniences of his fortune, and 
the innocent pleasures of society." 

Colonel Byfield, as an additional proof of his high estimate 
of the citizen soldiery, presented to the first military com- 
pany of Bristol a costly stand of colors, to this day carefully 
preserved with the archives of the town. 

He was an ardent, active and efficient politician of conser- 
vative principles. But he was not so rigid and exclusive as 
to prevent him from accepting a new idea, or fresh sugges- 
tion, merely because it did not present itself in an antique 
garb. He was conservative, but reasonably progressive. 
For several years he represented Bristol in the General 
Court, and was elected Speaker of the House of Representa- 
tives. He enjoyed a similar honor when a Representative 
from Boston. He was a patriotic and experienced states- 
man. 

It should always be passed to his credit that he deprecated 
the witchcraft delusion, and denounced those who were active 
in the trial and conviction of the unfortunate accused. 

His judicial career was most remarkable. For thirty-eight 
years he sat as Chief of the Court of Sessions of the Peace 
and Common Pleas for the county of Bristol, as he did two 
years for the county of Suffolk. From 1702 to 1710 he was 
Judge of Probate for the county of Bristol. He received five 
several commissions as Judge of the Vice Admiralty, from 
three sovereigns of England — from King William, from 
Queen Anne, and from King George II. So that for years 
he was Judge of Probate, Judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas, and of the Admiralty at the same day. 

In those days the community was not overwhelmed by 
that cataclysm of Law Reports which now so cruelly affects 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 117 

both the bench and the bur. Hence very little is preserved 
of his judicial opinions. I chance, however, to possess one 
of them in his own clear hand-writing, attested hy his signa- 
ture, which, for perspicuity of style and legal acumen, would 
not discredit any jurist. 

Not one of his decrees was overruled by appeal to the 
home tribunals. 

Finally, in my judgment, one of the most valuable of his 
varied excellences was his early and energetic labors as an 
advocate of public schools, or popular education. He be- 
lieved, and acted on the conviction, that if the youth of a 
commmiity were shrouded in intellectual darkness, the result 
would be as detrimental to the common weal as the destruc- 
tion of the spring would be fatal to the year. In grateful 
recognition of his important services on this interesting sub- 
ject, a parish, or precinct, in the county of Essex, in Massa- 
chusetts, was named for him. "The Byfield Academy," 
there established, is still a valuable seminary of learning. A 
similar memorial to his merit is the tasteful Bytield school- 
house of Bristol. 

Hjs generous anxiety for the prosperity of this town was 
not limited to the laying out of spacious, commodious, and 
ornamental streets, or the giving of ample grounds for the 
public convenience or necessities, but was illustrated by his 
liberal donation of lands for educational purposes, the benefits 
of which stand confessed to this hour. 

I cannot do better than to repeat the lines which were 
inscribed on his tombstone in the Granary burying ground, 
Boston, and which were composed by the Rev. Matthew 
Byles. They are an epitome of his life, and a rare specimen 
of elegiac composition : 

" Byfield, beneath, in peaceful slumber lies ; 
Bj^field, the good, the active and the wise ; 
His raauly form contained an equal mind, 
Faithful to God and generous to mankind. 
High in his country's honors long he stood, 



118 BI-CEXTENNIAL OF BKISTOL. 

Succour'd distress aud gave the hungry food. 

Injustice steady, in devotion warm, 

A loyal subject and a patriot firm, 

Through every stage his dauntless soul was tried — 

Great while he lived, but greater when he died." 

May the trees we plant here to-day, as a sylvan tribute to 
the memory of the founders of Bristol, sink their roots deep 
into its soil, and as the}^ advance to the maturity of luxuriant 
foliage, may their whispering branches become inspired like 
the sacred oak of Dodona, and oracularly predict the perpe- 
tuity of the principles and institutions of the fathers, and the 
permanence of this, "The Beautiful Gate" of the glorious 
State of Rhode Island. 

The chairman concluded the ceremony by explaining that 
the first three trees planted were native elms, and the last 
an oak grown from an acorn that fell from a tree planted by 
Nathaniel Byfield, under whose shade he had passed many 
an hour as he sat at his own door and looked across the 
water to our side of the harbor. 

At the close, and while the final act of planting was being 
done, the evening salute and ringing of the town bells began. 
No more appropriate act could have been suggested ; for with 
the loud voiced cannon and glad sound of bells, we committed 
to the God of nature our ofierings to the memory of the orig- 
inal proprietors of the town, that in their growth we may 
ever have a reminder of those who first planted this beautiful 
town. 

CLOSING OBSERVANCES. 

Scarcely had the guns of the Bristol Artillery " thundered 
forth their reverberating benediction," ere the Common was 
deserted. Gov. Littlefield and staff were escorted to the 
mansion of Col. S. Pomroy Colt, and other distinguished 
guests took carriages for the depot, to take the Providence 
train. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 119 

The Light Infantry Veterans, Avith the National Band, 
after having spent the day at the pleasant seaside residence of 
Col. A. C. Eddy, "Avhose generous hospitality and assiduous 
attentions to their inner comfort stamped him as a princely 
entertainer and glorious conn-ade," (says the correspondent 
of the Providence Journal, and to which, all who have 
enjoyed the hospitality of Col. Eddy, and his estimable lady, 
will most heartily subscribe), marched to the depot, and 
embarked for home. 

In the evening, many of the residences of citizens were 
again illuminated, fire-works were displayed, and large 
crowds filled the streets of the town. Soon after eight 
o'clock the mammoth tent on the Common, which was bril- 
liantly lighted with "Electric Lights," was thronged with 
people, to hear the grand concerts of the Boston Cadet and 
Bristol Bands. 

The programme of selections by the organizations, who 
played alternately to the great gratification of the appre- 
ciative audience, was as follows : 

BOSTON CADET BAND. 

1. Overture— Stradella Flotaw. 

2. Potpourri of Favorite Airs Henry. 

3. Tuba Solo— Graf Artluir Graf. 

4. Selections from Nabuco Verdi. 

5. Concert Waltzes— Wiener Kinder By Strauss. 

6. Grand Selections from II Trovatore Verdi. 

7. Piccolo Solo, andante with scliezo movement— De Carlo . . August Daun. 

BUISTOL COKNET BAND. 

1. Colliugwood Quickstep Pettee. 

2. Schottische— Dancing in the Barn J. B. Claus. 

3. Waltzes— Sounds from the North Zikoff. 

4. Overture— Luspiel Keler Beler. 

5. Galop— Phonograph Fox. 

6. Selection— Linda Donnizetti. 

7. Qickstep— To the Front Newton. 



120 BI-CENTENNIAL Or BRISTOL. 

During the evening elegant receptions to Gov. Littlefield 
and staff, and distinguished guests, were held at the residences 
of Cols. S. Pomroy and Le Baron B. Colt, "and Col. A. C. 
Eddy, and those gentlemen vied with each other in the elab- 
orateness of their collations, and generous welcome to their 
guests." 

AVe may be pardoned if we add the following closing com- 
■ ments of the Journal on our celebration : 

"It is a fact that, notwithstanding the presence of nearly 
twelve thousand people in the town during the day, but a 
single case of drunkenness was reported, and no unseemly dis- 
turbances or serious accidents occurred, which certainly speaks 
volumes for the residents, as well as the strangers attend- 
ing the celebration. The 10. 15 p. m. train for Providence left 
the depot with fourteen heavily-loaded cars, many standing on 
the platforms, but all were safely carried to their destination. 
And so ended the memorable observance of Bristol's natal 
day, and Old Bristol has earned a reputation for public spirit 
and lavish hospitality which the lapse of years can never 
efi'ace from the memories of her non-resident sons and daugh- 
ters, and those who visited the beautiful and historic town for 
the first time." 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 121 



The following ode, from the pen of Mrs. T. DeW. Colt, 
was written to be sung by the school children on the day of 
the celebration, but was received by the committee too late 
for the purpose : 



FOR THE BI-CENTENNIAL. 

A grand old sturdy race, 

Were our forefathers dear, 
In council firm, in battle bold. 

Unmoved by doubt or fear. 

Inured to pain and toil, 

Where duty calls they go; 
Their strong right arm could rend an oak, 

Or fell an Indian foe. 

Their houses rude and bare, 

Soft luxury disown, 
No modern elegance was their's. 

Not e'en a telephone. 

Strong in defence of right, 
Tho' sometimes hard and cold, 

Our fathers bravely fought the fight 
In the dark days of old. 

And to their children left 

A heritage secure, 
Founded on reason, faith and love, 

And morals sweet and pure. 

Then let each voice to-day. 

In song triumphant rise 
To the Great Father, who bestows 

All blessings that we prize. 



122 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

Our lives from danger free, 
Our bodies warmed and fed, 

Our minds enriched by Icnowledge from 
The living and the dead. 

But let us now beware 
The " serpent" of our time; 

Disguised in fairest form, he throws 
On us his filthy shine. 

Through pleasure, powe!" and ease, 
He lures us from the road. 

The only safe and narrow path 
That leads straight up to God. 

Then let us not forget 
The truths our Withers owned. 

But hold them with a firmer grip. 
Till Satan be dethroned. 

Tear down the idol Self, 
Forswear " the calf of gold," 

Wrong not our neighbor by a word. 
But win with love untold. 

For lux'ry is no sin, 
So that the heart be pure. 

And every land that God reveres 
For ages may endure. 

Then let us keep a guard 

Stationed at " helm and prow," 

That children's children may us bless 
Two hundred years from now. 

Linden Place, September 8th, 1880. 



BADGES. 



The Badges furnished by the Committee, and worn on the 
day of the celebration, were of seven different patterns. 
They w^ere 61 by 2% inches in size, on ribbon of satin finish 
face, and gros grain back, and bound across the top with 
gold bullion, one-half inch wide. In describing them we 
designate them by numbers as follows : 

JVb. 1. The Badge of the Toivn Committee. This badge 
was Cardinal Red in color. The corners of the lower end 
were turned under to form a point, from which was pendant 
a gold tassel. The printing on the badge, in gold letter, was : 

COMMITTEE. 



1680. 




1880. 



BI-CENTENNIAL, 

September 24, 
1880. 



124 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



jVo. 2. The Badge of ViKiting Somi and Danghters. 
This budge was " old gold " in color. The lower end was 
cut to form points at the outer corners. The printing, in 
black, was : 

SONS AND DAUGHTERS 

ov 

BRISTOL, R. I. 



1680. 




1880. 



WELCOME HOME, 

September 24, 1880. 

N'o. o. The Badge of Invited GaestK. This badge was 
white, and the lower end cut to form points at the outer 
corners. Tlie printing, in black, was : 



INVITED GUESTS. 



1680. 




^^ 1 880. 



lil-CENTENNIAL, 
BRISTOL, R. I., 

September 24, 1880. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BKISTOI. 



12/ 



JVo. 4. The Badge of the Committee on Belies. This 
badge was lilac in color. The lower end was trimmed with 
gold fringe, two inches deep. The printing, in black, was : 

COMMITTEE. 
LOAN EXHIBITION. 



1680. 




BI-CENTENNIAL, 

September 24, 1880. 



1880. 



JVo. 5. The Badge of the Marshals. This badge was 
white. The lower end trimmed with gold fringe, two inches 
deep. The printing, in black, was : 

DEPUTY MARSHAL. 



1680. 




1880. 



lil-CENTENNIAL, 

September 24, 1880. 



126 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



JVo. 6. The Badge of the School Children. This badge 
was of light pink, and the lower end cut to form points 
at the outer corners. The printing, in black, was : 

BICENTENNIAL 
CHORUS. 

CHILDREN OK THK 
PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 



1680. 



^T^ 




1880. 



BRISTOL, K. I., 

September '24, 1880. 

JSfo. 7. The Badge of the Drum Corps. This badge was 
of light blue, and the lower end cut to form points at the 
outer corners. The printing, in black, was : 



1680. 



1880. 



DRUM CORPS. 

(TOAVN Seal — OBLONG.) 
BI-CENTENNIAL, 

September 24, 1880. 



This was a company of eight boys, who formed an organ- 
ization, and gave much time during the summer months pre- 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 127 

ceding the celebration, to practice — Mr. George Alger kindly 
volunteering to teach them. They provided themselves 
with drums and unifomis. The uniform was a l)lack cap, 
with gold bullion band, and vizor ; jacket of scarlet flannel, 
with white flannel trimmings, and brass buttons; and dark 
pants. Their names are George William Warren, leader, 
aged 12 years; John Henry Bartlett Mott, aged 16 years; 
Frederick Smith Waldron, 14 ; William Nelson Miller, 14 ; 
AVilliam Henry Remington, 14 ; Charles Gardner Sisson, 
14 ; Arthur Emmons Card, 12 ; Charles Luther Miller, 12. 
They acquitted themselves with credit, and were a pleasant 
feature of the procession. 



LOA]^ EXHIBITION 



The relics of the past — an ilhistrated history of the town — 
were on exhibition in Town Hall. This building was form- 
erly the Congregational Meeting-house. It was built in 
1784, and dedicated on the 5th of January, 1785, the day of 
the ordination of the Rev. Henry Wight, as pastor. Its 
location was in Bradford street, a little east from the line of 
Hope street, with its front to the west. It was used as a 
house of worship until the fall of 1856, when the new stone 
edifice of the Congregational Church was finished. The first 
meeting-house was built in 1684, on the Common, the site of 
the present Court House, and stood one hundred years. 
Some of the oak timbers which were originally hewn from 
trees growing upon the Common, were put into the second 
meeting-house. This second house has stood almost one 
hundred years, and those oak timbers are sound to this day. 
It was given to the town in 1857, and in the summer of that 
year was moved out of the street to its present site on the 
north side of Bradford street. The next year it was fitted 
up for a Town Hall, and has been used as such to the present 
time. 

In this building, so identified with the town almost from 
the very beginning of its settlement, was appropriately gath- 
ered the relics of bygone times. The citizens of the town in 
this, as in all other features of the celebration, manifested a 
commendable interest, and generously responded to the 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 129 

wishes of the committee, by loaning their treasures — many 
of them replete with precious and sacred memories — for the 
exhibition. As has before been stated, to John DeWolf is 
the public mainly indebted for the large and interesting col- 
lection, and the good taste displayed in their grouping. 

The following is a list of the articles on exhibition : 

PORTRAITS IN OIL. 

Gov. Byron Diman, loaned by Mrs. E. A. Diman; painted in 1844. 

Mrs. Abby Alden Diman, wife of Gov. B. Diman, 1. by Mrs. Clara 
T>. DeWolf. 

Gov. Francis M. Dimond, 1. by Mrs. Samuel Norris. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Dimond, " " " " " 

Royal Dimond, " " " " " 

Lt.-Gov. Nath'l Bullock, taken at the age of 80 years, 1. by Hon. J. 
R. Bullock. 

Geo. Howe, 1- by Mrs. Hope Blake. 

John Howe, 1- by M. A. DeW. Howe. 

Maj. Jacob Babbitt, Sr., 1. by Mrs. Abbey E. Babbitt. 
" Jacob Babbitt, Jr., " " " " " " 

Benj. B. Bosworth, " " " " " " 

Mrs. B. B. Bosworth, " " " " " " 

Rev. Henry Wight, D. D., 1. by Mrs. Susan Gladding. 

Mrs. Henry Wight, wife of Rev. Dr. Wight, with her granddaugh- 
ter, G. A. Alden, 1. by Mrs. Clara D. DeWolf. 

Rev. C. H. Alden, 1. by Miss A. Fanny Alden. 

Mrs. C. H. Alden, " " " " 

Rev. Thos. Shepard, D. D., from Byfleld Hall. This portrait was 
painted by Miss Jane Stuart, daughter of Gilbert Stuart, the cele- 
brated portrait painter. 
" James McSparran, 1718, 1. by P. Skinner. 

Mrs. James McSparran, " " " " " 

Rt. Rev. Alexander Viets Griswold, 1- by Miss Mary Heath. 

Rev. John Bristed, 1. by M. A. DeW. Howe. 

Wm. Rogers, Chaplain in Revolutionary Army, and the first 
graduate of Brown University. 

Hersey Bradford, 1. by Miss Mary Baylies. 

Geo. H. Peck, 1. by V. G. Peck. 

Capt. John Gladding, 1- by Mrs. Susie Richmond. 

Mrs. John Gladding, 1. by Mrs. Lizzie Gladding. 

Capt. Wm. H. Gladding, 1. by Mrs. Lizzie Gladding. 

Mrs. Wm. H. Gladding, " " " 
17 



130 BI-CENTEKNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

Ambrose "Waldron, 1. by Billings Waldron. 

Hannah Waldron, " " " " 

Parents of the oldest male inhabitant to-day. Dying they left 9 sons, 2 

daughters, and G7 grandchildren. 

Mason W. Pierce, 1. by F, G. Bovven. 

Mrs. Mason "W. Pierce, and her son, Henry Parker Pierce, 
1. by F. G. Bowen. 

James P. Pierce, 1. by F. G. Bowerr. 

Capt. Cory WilHston, 1. by F. G. Bowen. 

Wm. Pearse, 2nd, born 116 years^ago, L by Mrs. W. A. Richmond. 

Wm. Pierce, 1- by Geo. H. Peck. 

Mrs. Lemuel C. Richmond, Senior, and her son Isaac, l- by 
Mrs. AVm, A. Richmond. 

Capt. Martin Bennett, I- by Mrs. Robert Peck. 

Eliza T., wife of Martin Bennett, 1. by Mrs. Robert Peck. 

Benjamin Tilley, 1- by Benj. Tilley. 

Mrs. Benjamin Tilley, 1. by Benj. Tilley. 

Col. Samuel W^ardwell. This portrait is interesting from being 
taken in the old uniform of the Bristol Artillery, organized soon 
after the War of the Revolution, and maintained as an independent 
organization ever since. L. by W", T. C. Wardwell. 

Capt. John Ward'well, 1. by Mrs. Mary E. Munro. 

Mrs. John Wardwell, " " " " " " 

Capt. John Smith, 1. by Mrs. H. B. Smith. 

Mrs. Anne Pratt Smith, 1. by Mrs. H. B. Smith. 

Capt. James Miller, I- by Augustus N. Miller. 

Le Favour Howland, 1- by Mrs. nioebe H. Vickery. 

Mrs. Le P. Howland and Child, 1- by Mrs. Phoebe H. Vickery. 

Samuel Sparks, 1. by Albert Sparks, 

Col. Samuel Wardwell, 1. by Chas. H. H. Wardwell. 

Mrs. Samuel Wardwell, Sr.., 1. by Chas. H. H. Wardwell. 

Deacon Wm. B. Spooner, 1. by Mrs. John AVatson. 

John Gardner, I. by Geo. W. Easterbrooks. 

Mrs. J. Gardner, 1. by Geo. W. Easterbrooks. 

John R. Gardner, 1. by Mrs. Clarissa Gardner. 

This portrait is three-quarters length, and life-size. It is very finely 

painted, and remarkably life-like. 

Golden Dearth, 1. by Mrs. J. Gooding. 

Mrs. Samuel Smith, 1. by Mrs. J. Gooding. 

Mrs. Josiah Gooding-, painted by C. Giovanni Thompson, in his best 
style in 1832; 1. by James Madison Gooding. 

Mrs. Ann Fletcher, 1 by Mrs. N. Warren. 

Miss Bosworth, l. by Walter H. Munro. 

Jeremiah Ingraham, 1. by Mrs. Eliza DeWolf. 

Mrs. Ing-raham, " " " " " 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 131 

Capt. Leonard G. Bradford, 1. by Mrs. Harriet Coggeshall. 

Mrs. Sarah Bradford, 1. by Mrs. Harriot Coggeshall. 

Capt. Daniel Gladding, taken about 1805, 1. by Wm. O. Gladding. 

Mrs. Sarah Gladding, " " " " " " " " 

Ambrose Waldron, 1 by Mrs. Wm. H. West, 

Mrs. Hannah Waldron, 1. by Mrs. Wm. H. West. 

Crawford Easterbrooks, Jr., 1. by C. L. Kasterbrooks. 

Josiah Smith, 1- by Miss M. E. Bourne. 

Allen Bourne, *' " " " " 

Benj. P. Bourn, 1. by Mrs. J. DeW. Perry. 

Mrs. Benj. P. Bourn, 1 by Mrs J. DeW. Perry. 

Mrs. Priscilla Allyn, daughter of Royal Paine. 

"Capt. Tom Jones," Commander of Privateers during war of 1812, 1. 

by Capt Geo. H. Munro. 
Capt. Allen Munro, son of William and Hannah, died on a vo5'age 

from the coast of Africa; 1. by A. M. Newman. 
Nathan Bardin, painted about 1800, 1. by Nathan B. Fenuer. 
Mrs. N. Bardin, 1. by Mrs. Nathan B. Heath. 
Nath'l Cog-geshall, 1. by Mrs. Harriet Coggeshall. 
Mrs. N. Cog-geshall, 1. by Mrs. Harriet Coggeshall. 
"Tom Jones," 1 by Jas. D. Wardwell. 
Mrs. Tom Jones, 1- by Jas. D. Wardwell. 

"Tom Jones" commanded the renowned privateer " Yankee," which 
made so many captures during the last war with England. 
Abigail DeWolf, wife of Mark Antony DeWolf, Sr., ancestress of all 

the DeWolf family in Bristol, R. I., 1. by Mrs. Eliza DeWolf. 
Charles DeWolf, Sr., 1. by Mrs. Theodora DeWolf Colt. 

Painted by Jarvis, and considered by some judges the finest painting in 
the collection. Remarkable for the naturalness of the flesh tints, and life- 
like appearance. 

Gen. Geo. DeWolf, 1. by Mrs. T. DeW. Colt. 
Mrs. Geo. DeWolf, " " " " " 
Hon. James DeWolf, 1. by H. M. Howe. 
Wm. Henry DeWolf, 1. by Mrs. Wm. B. DeWolf. 
Francis Le Baron DeWolf, 1. by Mrs. Wm. B. DeWolf. 
James DeWolf, Jr., " " " " " 

Catharine DeWolf, " " " " " 

Hon. William DeWolf, 1. by Mrs. M. DeW. Rogers. 
Mrs. William DeWolf, 1. by Mrs. Rogers and Miss C. DeWolf. 
Wm. DeW^olf, Jr., " " " " " " " 
Abby DeWolf Davis, " " " " " " " 
Charlotte DeWolf, " " " " " " " 
Maria DeWolf, 1. by Mrs. M. Rogers and Miss C. DeWolf. 
Henry DeWolf, 1. by Fitz Henry DeWolf. 
Mrs. Henry DeWolf, 1. by Fitz Henry DeWolf. 
Prof. John DeWolf, 1. by Brown University. 



132 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

Mrs. Elizabeth J. De'Wolf, wife of Prof. DeWolf, 1. by Winthrop 

DeWolf. 
Charlotte DeWolf, 1. by Miss C. DeWolf. 
Rob't Rogers, painted by Head, 1. by Mrs. M DeW. Rogers. 
Mrs. Rob't Rogers, painted by Healy, 1. by Mrs. M. DeWolf Rogers. 
Nathaniel B3rfield., from Byfleld Hall. This portrait is a copy from an 
original portrait in the possession of Hon. Francis Brinley. of New- 
port. The copy was made by Miss Jane Stuart, and is remarkable for 
its truthfulness. 
Gen. Andrew Jackson, (visited Bristol in 1833), 1. by S. Pomeroy 
Colt. 
When Gen. Jackson visited Bristol, in June, 1833, he had just entered 
upon his second term as President of the United States. He was accom- 
panied by Martin Van Buren, Vice President of the United States; Lewis 
Cass, Secretary of War ; Levi Woodbury, Secretary of the Navy; Major 
Donalson, and Ool. Earle, of the President's suite. He landed from steam- 
boat Boston, Capt. Wm. Comstock, from Newport, at Long Wharf, foot 
of Church street, and walked, with his hat in his hand, through a shower 
of rain, up Church street and along Hope street, to the Bristol Hotel on 
State street. Capt. James DeWolf was conspicuous in his efforts to hold 
an umbrella over "Old Hickory's" head, to keep the rain off. At the 
hotel, a few citizens had an opportunity to be introduced to the Presi- 
dent, and shake his hand. The distinguished party almost immediately 
re-embarked on the steamer for Providence, where they arrived at 10 
o'clock, A. M. 

Davis, ancestor of Church and Wardwell families, brought from 

England in 1680, and then over fifty years old. Wonderfully painted 
and well preserved. Considered by many the finest painting and most 
interesting relic in the collection. L. by Mrs. H. E. Coggeshall, Fall 
River. 
Geo. "Washington. 
Martha Washington. 

These remarkable portraits were painted by the elder Peale, of Philadel- 
phia, for Washington, and by him were presented to John Brown, of Prov- 
idence. They represent this illustrious couple at a much younger age 
than most of their portraits. Washington is taken in the uniform of a 
Colonel in the Virginia militia, and these pictures were probably taken 
about the time of Braddock's defeat. L by the Misses Herreshoff 
Her Gracious Majesty Queen Carohne, wife of George II., King 
of England. This curious old portrait was brought from England, 
with several others, by Rev. John Usher, the first minister of St. 
Michael's Church, in 1720. It was torn from its frame and much in- 
jured by the Americans during the Revolutionary War. It is now in 
the original frame of carved oak. L. by Mrs. M. Luther Simmons. 
Com. C. H. Perry, l- by Mrs. James DeW. Perry. 
Geo. H. Reynolds, 1. by Mrs, John Burgess, Jr. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



133 



Capt. James Usher, 1- l^y Mrs. John Burgess, Jr. 

Mrs. James Usher, " " " " " " 

Benj. Franklin. This portrait was painted from life, and is very much 
thought of by artists. It is taken with fur cap and spectacles. It 
was formerly owned by the late Prof. A. D. Bache. L. by Mrs. H. W. 
Bachc. 



MINIATURES ON IVORY. 

Gen. James M. Varnum, painted in 1770, 1. by Miss Betsey Bourn. 

Mrs. James M. Varnimi, " " 1770, 1 by Mrs. J. DeW. Perry. 

Mary Ann DeWolf Sumner, daughter of Hon. James DeWolf, 
painted by Miss Ann Hall, 1. by Mrs. J. DeW. Perry. 

Bishop Griswold, 1. by John Allyn. 

Hon. Wm. DeWolf, painted by Malbone, 1. by Mrs. Rogers and Miss 
C. DeWolf. 

Capt. John DeWolf, 1- by Mrs. Clara D. DeWolf. 

Mrs. John Norris, with her father and mother in shadow, taken in 
1817, 1. by C. H. Norris. 

Capt. Daniel N. Morice, 

Madame Theresa Morice, and a beautifully painted miniature of an 
aunt of Capt. Morice, name unknown; all three 1. by Mrs. Edward S. 
Babbitt. 

Golden Dearth, 1- by Willie Bradford. 

Capt. Fletcher, 1. by T. W. Easterbrooks. 

Capt. John Norris, painted in 1825, 1. by Capt. C. H. Norris. 

Mrs. John Norris, painted in 1825, 1. by Capt. C. H. Norris. 

Wm. Cog-g-eshall, 1. by Mrs. H. E. Coggeshall. 

Mrs. Wm. Cog-g-eshall, 1. by Mrs H. E. Coggeshall. 

Mrs. Prudence Richmond, 1- by Mrs. Rebecca Simmons. 

Mrs. Sarah W. Shepard, 1. by Miss Shepard. 

Gen. George DeWolf, 1. by Mrs. T. DeW. Colt. 

Henry Good"win, " " " " " " 

Mrs. Le B. Goodwin, " " " " " " 

Mariana DeWolf, " " " " " " 

Judge Joseph Russell, by Eraser, one of the finest miniatures in the 
United States, 1 by N. R. Middleton. Joseph Russell was a son of 
Rev. Jonathan Russell, the minister of Barnstable, Mass., and the 
grandson of Rev. John Russell, who for more than fifteen years con- 
cealed in his house at Hadley, Mass., Generals Whaley and Goffe, two 
of Cromwell's Judges who condemned Charles I. to the block. 

Silhouette of Mrs. Sally Sandford, 1. by Miss Lizzie Simmons. 
Mrs. Hannah Norris, 1. by Mrs. Morgan. 
" John Howland, cut sixty years ago. 

Hon. Benj. Bourn, 1. by Mrs. J. DeW. Perry. 



134 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

Silhouette of Nelson Miller, 1. by William J. Miller. 

This profile was cut more than fifty years ago. and is a striking likeness. 
Mr. Miller was a Revolutionary soldier and pensioner, having been in the 
service six of the seven years of the war. Fifty or more years ago, the 
writer remembers to have heard his grandfather relate an incident that 
transpired at Valley Forge, while the American army was encamped there 
in the winter of 1777-78. As he has never seen it in print, he ventures to 
give it here. It was the scene when Washington made known to the 
army the " Conway Cabal." His description of the event, although so 
many years have elapsed since the writer heard it from his lips, is still 
vivid in his memory. It was, he said, on a mild, pleasant Sunday morn- 
ing, (probably in the latter part of February, or early in March, 1778). 
The entire army was mustered, and Washington, surrounded by his ofti- 
cers, addressed the army, and told them of the conspiracy to supersede 
him. He then, with deep feeling, vindicated his motives and course of 
action, and closed with a most earnest appeal to the army — officers and 
men— to remain true to the great cause in which they had all suff"ered and 
sacrificed so much. When the writer heard him relate the incident, it was 
more than half a century after the event; and yet he well remembers, 
child as he then vpas, how visibly the old man was afl'ected, as he described 
it. He said it was one of the most impressive scenes that he ever 
witnessed, and one that he should never forget, — officers and men wept 
like children. His position in the line was near where Washington sat 
upon his horse, and he heard distinctly every word he spoke. 

Two Miniatures, Capt. Daniel Gladding- and "Wife, 1- by Wil- 
liam H. Gladding. 

John Biollock, one hundred years old when taken, 1. by Miss Mary 
Bullock. 

nCTURES. 

Oil Painting of Venus and Cupids. 
" " Diana at the Bath. In this, Acteon is represented 

undergoing transformation into a stag, with Diana and her attendant 
nymphs, dogs, game, etc. These pictures were brought from England 
by Rev. John Usher in 17i;0. L. by the Misses Usher. 

Abraham Sacrificing Isaac, a very old painting, unfortunately indis- 
tinct and much injured; 1. by Mrs. Thomas J Usher. 

Painting of Ship " Joshua Mauran," 1. by Capt. Isaac Liscomb. 

Privateer "McDonough," painted by Jonathan Alger, 1. by George 
Alger. 

A Flemish Entertainment, A Moderate Gale, A Brisk Gale, 
A Calm, four Engravings, all over 100 years old, 1. by C. F. Her- 
reshoff". 

Apotheosis of "Washington, 1. by C. F. Herreshoff". 

Gen. Jackson, 1. by T. L. Fisher. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 135 

George Washington, 1. by George Smith. 

Five Old Prints, 

John Darhng, framed iind illustrated Eulogy, written by Gov. Charles 

Collins, 1. by Capt. I. Liscomb. 
Lorenzo Dow and Peggy Dow, 1. by James A. Miller. 
Privateers, "Sea Pieces," etc., four curious old pictures of, 1. by 

Mrs. Gideon Sherman. 
Departure of Prodigal Son, a pi-int of 1735, 1. by Mrs. R. S. Andrews. 
Prodigal Son, two old pictures, 1. by Mrs. Kebecca Simmons. 
Triumph of Liberty, an engraving, 1. by Capt. George Coggeshall. 
Engravings, 200 and 150 years old, 1. by Mrs. W. A. Richmond. 
Old Talbee House. Drawing of house built by Col. Benj. Church in 

Bristol in 1G90, 1. bj' the Misses Shepard. 
Interesting copies of the coats of arms borne by the early settlers were 
shown. The following were copies taken before the separation from the 
mother countries : Usher, Dimond, Leonard and Ingraham 

Families. 



OLD SILVER. 

Five Silver Spoons, all over 100 years old, 1. by Mrs. Clara D. DeWolf. 

Cream Jug and Sugar Bow^l, formerly owned by Bishop Griswold, 
1. by Mrs. R. S. Andrews. 

Tankard, marked H. L., was brought from Plymouth by Hannah Lor- 
ing, who married Jonathan Peck about 1731, 1. by George J. Adams. 

Two Silver Chaffing Dishes, 1- by Mrs. Wm. B. D'Wolf. 

Cup, " " " " " 

Porringer, used for soup on board the ship " General Washington," 1. by 
C. F. Herreshotr. 

Plate, 1. by C. F. Herreshoff. 

Two old Silver-Handled Forks, 1. by C. F. Herreshoff. 

Silver Ladle, with a coin of the reign of Queen Anne, 1711, set into the 
bottom, 1. by Mrs. C. F. Herreshoff, Jr. 

Silver Chain and Pendant, formerly belonging to the grand-daugh- 
ter of Col. Benj. Church, 1. by Miss Mary F. Norris. 

Silver Paten, formerly belonging to Rev. John Usher, 1. by the Misses 
Usher. 

Curious Small Silver Spoon, 1. by Miss Rebecca Turner. 

Eight Tea-Spoons, old fashioned marks and chasing, 1. by Ezra B. 
Chadwick. 

Silver Pitcher. This interesting relic was brought from France by 
Gabriel Bernon, a French Huguenot, who fled from France upon the 
revocation of the edict of Nantes, and came to this country and brought 
this with a few other valuables. In 1738 it came to his granddaughter, 
Esther Powell, and has been in the possession of an Esther Powell 



136 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

ever since, beiug now owned by the ninth of that name. It was 
requested for exhibition at the Centennial Exhibition held in Phila- 
delphia, but the then owners felt constrained to refuse. L. by Mrs. 
Esther Powell Snow. 

Silver Ewer and Basin, formerly used by Charles DeWolf, Sr„ 1. by 
Mrs. T. DeW. Colt. 

"Wine Tester. 

Old Communion Service from Congregational Church. 
2 cups, the gift of Nathaniel Byfleld in 1G93. 
1 cuj), " " " Rev. John Sparhawk in 1718. 

1 cup, the donor unknown, given in 1723. 

2 cups, the gift of Hon. Nathl. Blagrove, in 1745. 
Communion Service from St. Michael's Chvirch. 

2 large flagons, the gift of Nath'l Kay in 1734. 

2 double-handled cups, the gift of Nathl. Kay in 1734. 

1 large chalice, " " " " " " " 

1 large basin, the gift of Isaac Royal in 1747. 

1 paten, the gift of Nath'l Kay in 1734. 
Large Silver "Waiter and Candelabra, about 150 years old, 1. by 

Mrs. C. L. H. Chesbro'. 
Sugar Bowl and Creamer, formerly owned by Deacon Jeremiah 

Diman, 1. by Miss Lizzie B. Dinian. 
Tankard, " " " " " " 
Pap Spoon, 200 years old, formerly owned by Col. Job Almy, one of the 

original owners of the Pocasset purchase, 1. by Mrs. C. F. Herre- 

shoff, Jr. 
Eight Table-Spoons, owned by Siou and Sally Martiudale, 1756, 1. by 

George J. Adams. 
Sion Martindale was a successful ship master and merchant of Bristol 
at the beginning of the war of the Revolution. The commerce of the 
port had been destroyed by the restrictive acts of the British Parliament. 
When the Rhode Island General Assembly, immediately after the afftiir at 
Concord and Lexington, ordered the enlisting of troops into " the King's 
service," Captain Martindale promptly came forward and raised a company 
in Bristol and Warren for Colonel Thomas Church's regiment. He was 
commissioned as captain of the company, and with the regiment, early in 
June, reported for duty at Cambridge Some members of his company 
were in the redoubt at the battle of Bunker Hill. When Washington 
arrived from the South, early in July, to take command of the troops 
around Boston, he took prompt steps to prevent supplies from reaching 
the British in Boston. This was easily done inland. To cut off their supplies 
by water three armed vessels were equipped, the first one put in commis- 
sion being the brigantine Washington, of ten guns. Captain Martindale 
was commissioned as commander. As seamen M'ere hard to be obtained, 
so many of them having enlisted in the army, the soldiers were called 
upon to volunteer, and Captain Martindale soon had a complement of 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



137 



men— numbers of his own company going with him. Their cruise was a 
short one, for they had been out only three days, when they were captured 
in Boston bay by the British Ship Foy, of twenty guns. They were soon 
transferred to the frigate Tartar, and carried as prisoners to Enghind. 
Cream Pitcher, 167 years old, formerly belonging to Dr. John Cogge- 

shall. Repousse work. L. by Miss Sarah Coggeshall. 
Silver Nutmeg-Grater, about 200 years old, in the shape of a shoe, 

1. by Mrs. M. J. Slade. 
Pepper Box, in form of light-house, formerly belonging to the first 

Mark Antony DeWolf, 1. by Mrs. M. DeW. Rogers. 
Punch- Strainer, " " " " " " 

Porringer, " " " " " 

Fish Spoon, *' " " " " " 

Tankard, " " " " " " 

Sugar Tongs, " " " " " " 

Cream Pitcher, " " " " " " 

Tankard, 1. by Mrs. N. Russell Middleton. 

Tankard, formerly used by Capt. John DeWolf, 1. by Byron D. DeWolf. 
Sugar Bowl, 1- by Miss Annie F. Munro. 

This sugar bowl is an exceedingly interesting relic. It had stamped on 
the bottom of it, the letters S. P., and belonged to Capt. Simeon Potter, 
who captured it, with other plunder, in 1744, when in command of the ship 
Prince Charles of Lorraine, a Rhode Island privateer. War existed 
between England and France— the " Old French War"— and Capt Potter 
was cruising along the " Spanish Main," near Cayenne, in quest of French 
merchantmen. Having occasion to land for water, they learned of Fort 
d'Of/apoc, a French Jesuit Missionary station, near by, and determined to 
capture it. There were but a few soldiers in the fort, and it was sur- 
prised and captured without loss of life. The only person wounded was 
Capt. Potter, who received a bullet wound in his left arm. Capt. Potter's 
vessel was armed with ten cannon, twelve swivel guns, and had a crew 
of sixty-two men. His clerk was Mark Antony DeWolf. A part of 
the crew only lauded, and took part in the raid. An account of this 
affair was published in the Overland Monthly of San Francisco, in April» 
1874. The late Gov. Arnold received advance sheets of the article, 
and read them before the Rhode Island Historical Society in Providence, 
in March of that year. It was a translation from the French, by Bishop 
Kip, of a letter from Father Fauque, the resident Priest at the mission 
captured, to a brother Priest, and is dated, " At Cayenne, the 22d of 
December, 1744." The Overland Monthly, in its prefiice to the letter, 
comments as follows : "It contains a chapter in the early history of the 
Rhode Island people, which has never before been published. Strange, 
that, after being buried so long, it should now be unearthed— that, after 
being locked up in the old French of the original writer for nearly 130 
years, it should be brought to light for the benefit of a succeeding genera- 
18 



138 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

tion ! Perhaps it may be a matter of interest to the descendants of Cap- 
tain Simeon Potter, and of the others, who, in ' the Old French War,' 
were together in the good ship Prince Charles of Lorraine, ' as they sailed 
—as they sailed.' " 

The spirit of the holy Father's letter is admirable. He begins as fol- 
lows : 

" My Reverend Father : — The peace of our Lord be with you ! I will 
make you a partaker of the greatest happiness I have experienced in ray 
life, by informing you of the opportunity I had of suffering something for 
the glory of God." 

He concealed himself for a time outside the fort, for fear of being shot. 
When captured and taken into the fort, he says: *'I saw every face 
expressing the greatest joy, each one congratulating himself that they 
had captured a priest." He describes Capt. Potter as follows: "The 
first one who approached me was the Captain himself. He was a man 
small in stature, and not in any respect differing from the others in dress. 
He had his left arm in a sling, a sabre in his right hand, and two pistols in 
his belt* As he was acquainted with some few words of French, he told 
me ' that I was very welcome ; that I had nothing to fear, as no one would 
attempt my life.'" He speaks kindly of Capt. Potter, and of his Clerk, 
(DeWolf). 

The capture of the fort was made on the 2d or 3d of November, and the 
interesting fact is brought out that Capt. Potter and his crew celebrated 
the " Gunpowder Treason Plot" on the fifth of November, Speaking of a 
conversation he had with the Captain, he says : " He made me, after- 
ward, a disclosure which was sufficiently pleasant. ' Monsieur,' he said 
to me, 'do you know that to-morrow, being the fifth of November, the 
English have a great festival?' 

'And what is the festival?' I asked him. 

' We burn the Pope,' he answered, laughing. 

' Explain to me,' I said ; ' what is this ceremony? ' 

' They dress up in a burlesque style,' he said, ' a kind of ridiculous 
figure, which they call the Pope, and which they afterwards burn, while 
siuging some ballads, and all this in coumemoratiou of the day when the 
Court of Rome separated England from its communion. To-morrow,' he 
continued, 'our people who are on shore will perform this ceremony at 
the fort.'" 

The priest probably misunderstood the meaning of Capt. Potter as to 
the event to be commemorated. He describes their manner of celebration 
as follows : 

" After a while, he caused his pennon and flag to be hoisted. The 
sailors manned the yard-arms, the drum was beaten, they fired the cannon, 
a"^id all shouted, five times, ' Long live the King ! ' This having been done, 
he called one of the sailors, who, to the great delight of those who under- 
stood his language, chanted a very long ballad, which I judged to be the 
recital of all this unworthy story." 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 139 

The ballad was, doubtless, the one so familiar to every Bristol boy 
thirty or forty years ago, beginning : 

" The fifth of November, 
Let us all remember 
The Gunpowder-Treason Plot " — 

for, up to within twenty-five or thirty years, this singular festival was 
celebrated in Bristol annually, probably from the very settlement of the 
town. In fact, " Gunpowder-Treason Night " was as familiar to Bristol 
people as 'Lection Day at Newport, or the Fourth of July. 

The Prince Charles of Lorraine hailed from Newport, and her cruise 
along the coast of Surinam was made the subject of inquiry before the 
Court of Vice Admiralty, at Newport, in May, 1746. Monsieur Hop, the 
Minister of the States General of the United Netherlands, made complaint 
*' of several violences committed on the coasts of Surranam by an English 
Privateer called the Prince Charles of Lorraine, Simeon Potter, com- 
mander, in violation of the laws of nations, and desiring that the said 
commander, and those of the crew that were guilty of such outrages, 
might be puuished." After a lengthy investigation, covering the exami- 
nation of Captain Potter; Daniel Vaughn, of Newport, First Lieutenant; 
Reuben Shales, of Middletown, Conn., Second Lieutenant; Michael 
Phillips, of Bristol, Pilot; Mark Antony DeWolf, of Bristol, Clerk; 
Joseph Rodman, of Newport, Mariner, " being one of those people called 
Quakers ; " and James Tucker, of Newport, Mariner — all members of the 
company of said Prince Charles of Lorraine— the Judge (William Strength- 
field) exonerated Capt. Potter, and his officers and crew from all blame. 
His "Decree" closes as follows : 

" It is undoubtedly true that Capt. Potter made a very extraordinary 
attack upon the French settlement to windward of Surranam, laying 
waste and destroying a whole country almost one hundred miles up the 
river Wyapoke, taking the fort, carrying away their cannon, and destroy- 
ing the town as well as country — doing the same in his going down as far 
as Ceyane ; so that, considering the smallness of his force, perhaps no one 
during the present war has weakened and distressed His Majesty's ene- 
mies to the like degree. And it appears that he was commissionated from 
said Colony of Rhode Island in the method there used in granting Com- 
missions during the whole war, and herein acted according to instruc- 
tions. But no act of hostilities appears to be done by him upon the terri- 
tories of any of His Majesty's allies, or near 'em. 

" And it being contrary to His Majesty's clemency and wise administra- 
tion to admit of any his subjects being distressed without just cause 
appearing, the said Simeon Potter is released, as also the said Daniel 
Vaughn and Reuben Shales, for that nothing to me appeared worthy of 
punishment or bonds. But in further submission and obedience to their 
Lordships' commands, with this representation the examination and evi- 
dences taken are transmitted. The said persons paying costs each one 
should." 



140 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

At the time of the bombardment of the town by a British fleet, in 
October, 1775, Col. Simeon Potter (he had been made Colonel of the 
Militia) was a member of the Town Council. The British commander, 
Wallace, made a demand for cattle and sheep, and threatened to bombard 
the town unless it was promptly complied with. This demand the towns- 
people, with more zeal than discretion, peremptorily refused. As soon as 
the vessels of war opened fire — there were five of them, and they took 
up positions along the entire water-front of the compact part of the town 
— a great fear and horror seized upon the inhabitants — rendered all the 
more terrible by the darkness of the evening. In the midst of the fire. 
Col. Potter went down upon Warehouse Point, which was a gravelly blufl" 
point of land, now covered by Long Wharf, at the foot of Church street, 
and hailed one of the Avar vessels that lay a short distance ofl". After 
great effort, he succeeded in making himself heard, and beseeched them 
" for God's sake [to] stop firing!" They sent a boat ashore, and he was 
taken on board, and, after agreeing to deliver the sheep the next morning 
(they yielding the demand for the cattle), stopped the fire upon the town. 
The forty sheep were delivered on board the next morning, and the enemy, 
to the great relief of the inhabitants, sailed away out of the harbor. 



CHINA, ETC. 

The collection of china was large and interesting, some of it dating 
from the early settlement of the town, and having interesting local and 
historical associations connected with it. Some was imported many years 
ago from India and China, and is to-day as beautiful as any that reaches 
OS from those countries, albeit the decorations and shapes are now more 
familiar since the opening of those countries to foreign trade. The dif- 
ferent specimens were too numerous to be mentioned in detail, and we 
can only give those more interesting from association. 

Pickle Dish, used by Gen. Washington at the house of Gen. James M. 

Varnum. Cream ware (Dolphins and Shells), 1. by Mrs. J. DeWolf 

Perry. 
Pair of Antique Majolica Pitchers, which formerly belonged to 

Deacon Nathaniel Diman, 1. by Mrs. E. A. Diman, 
Octagonal Plate, imitation of tortoise shell, about 125 years old, I. by 

Capt. C. H. Norris. 
Japanese Drinking Cup, brought from Japan by Com. Perry at the 

signing of the first treaty with that country, 1. by Mrs. J. De W. Perry. 
China Tea Caddy, used by Mrs. Gen. Varnum, 1. by Mrs. J. DeW. 

Perry. 
Barber's Basin, over 200 years old, 1. by Mrs. Mary J. Slade. 
Punch Bowl and Cvirious Old Pitcher, in the form of a man, 1. by 

T. L. Fisher. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 141 

Panola Bowl, owned by Rev. John Usher, cream color, with floral deco- 
rations, 1. by Miss Lizzie Simmons. 
China Cup and Saucer, which belonged to the wife of Capt. John 

DeWolf, nee Reynolds, 1. by Mrs. A S. DeWolf. 
Cup and Saucer, owned by Col. Benjamin Church 200 years ago, 1. by 

Mrs. William Howe Church. 
Large Blue and W^hite Punch Bowl, or Standard, with large 

Salver, which belonged to Col. Benjamin Church, 1. by Gilbert Norris. 
Tea Pot, formerly used by Col. Simeon Potter, 1. by Mrs. B. B. 

Coggeshall. 
Shaving Basin, used by Mark Antony DeWolf, 1. by Mrs. Maria D'W. 

Rogers. 
China Figurine, female figure carrying fruit and flowers, 1. by Mrs. H. 

W. Bache. 
Pitcher, with figures of children in relief, 1. by Miss M. G. DeWolf. 
Square Platter, decorated with pictures of ship, 1. by Capt. Isaac Lis- 

comb. 
Cup and Saucer, owned by Bishop. Griswold, 1. by Miss Maria G. 

DeWolf. 
Punch Bowl, 120 years old, owned by Capt. Fletcher, 1. by T. W. 

Easterbrooks. 
Punch Bowl, with curious decorations inside, once owned by Rev. 

John Usher, 1720, 1. by Mrs. M. Luther Simmons. 
Blue and White Plate, conventional designs, brought to Bristol by 

Rev. Samuel Lee, the first minister settled in Bristol in 1686, 1. by 

Mrs. Clara D. DeV\rolf. 
Two Very Old Pitchers, floral decorations, 1. by Mrs. B. B. Chad. 

wick 
Very Old Cup and Saucer, rose colored and white decorations, 1. 

by Miss Rebecca Turner. 
Punch Bowl, with figures of ships, and curious tea set, deep cream 

color, with bright colored figures of animals, 1. by Mrs. Gideon Sher- 
man. 
Sugar Bowl, owned by Rev. John Usher, 1720, white, with colored 

raised figures, very beautiful and rare, 1. by Mrs. M. Luther Simmons. 
Sugar Bowl, over 100 years old, raised ornaments, 1. by Mrs. George W. 

Simmons. 
Old China. Interesting selections of old china were also received from 

Mrs. Mary J. Slade, Mrs. Rebecca Simmons, Mrs. Viets G. Peck, 

Mrs. R. S. Andrews, George Smith, Miss Annie F. Munro, the Her- 

reshofl" family, Mrs. Clara D. DeWolf, Mrs. C. L. H. Chesbro', Mrs. 

James White, Mrs. Augustus Richmond, Mrs. Wm. Simmons, Miss A. 
Coy, and T. L. Fisher. 



142 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



GLASS, ETC. 

The first Glass Lamp in Bristol, 1 by Mrs. B W. Darling. 

Salt Callar, in shape of hat, and Night Lamp, both over 100 years 
old, 1. by Mrs. George W. Simmons. 

Wine Glass, with fine gilt ornamentation, 1. by Miss Lizzie Simmons. 

Cruet, belonged to Sally Peck, wife of Sion Martindale, 1756, 1. by Geo. 
J. Adams. 

Large "Wine Glass, 180 years old, 1. by Mrs. Chas. Fales. 

Jar Salts, HO years old, 1. by Miss M. E. Bourn. 

Large Glass Sugar Bo"wl, (owned by Col. Benj. Church, who con- 
quered King Philip, of Mount Hope), about 200 years old, 1. by Mrs. 
Wm. Howe Church. 

Tumbler, formerly owned by the great grandson of John Alden, now 
owned by the eighth in descent, 1. by Mrs. Clara D. DeWolf. 

Large Glass Tumbler, 106 years old, 1. by Thomas Easterbrooks. 

W^ine Glass, more than 200 years old, buried for preservation at Green- 
wich during the RevoluLion, cut glass, with gilt ornaments, 1. by Mrs. 
J. DeW. Perry. 

Cut Glass Liquor Set and Tray, mounted with brass (sea set), 
1. by T. W. Easterbrooks. 

FURNITURE. 

Piano. The first one in New England, imported by John Brown for his 
daughter Sarah, afterwards Mrs. Herreshoff. Imported about 1785. 
It has a finely inlaid case, and is in every way in good order, every 
key sounding. It has been in the Herreshoff house at Point Pleasant 
during the present century. L. by the Misses Herreshoff. 
Piano, one of the first made in America, for many years it was owned on 

the Island of Prudence, 1. by Messrs. Cory Brothers, Providence. 
Spinet, with maker's name, and dated, '-London, 1520." A family relic 
brought to Bristol by Mrs. Henry Wight, 1. by Mrs. Alex Perry. 
The correspondent of the New York Graphic, in referring to this instru- 
ment, indulges in the following reflections: "This instrument bears the 
inscription, 'Johannes Hitchcock, /ecif, London, 1520.' It is, you see, 
three hundred and sixty years old. What a web of romance might be 
woven out of its long history ! Where now are the pliant fingers that 
awoke its sleeping harmonies when it was new? Where are the girls that 
sang alto, and those that sang air to the accompaniment of its chords 
when the plate with the maker's name on it flashed in brigiituess to the 
light of the parlor fires in 'ye olden time?' Gone, all gone — dust centu- 
ries ago, and forgotten. Heaven help us ! and here is the ancient spinet, 
the forerunner of the piano of to-day — a wrecked musical ship whose 
music has vanished with the hearts that enjoyed it when the world was 
younger." 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 143 

Large High Back Chair, with carved ornamentation, IGO years old, 

1. by Mrs. C. L. H. Chesbro*. 
Mahogany "As You Like it" Chair, witli claw feet, used by 

Gen. Washington, 1. by Mrs. Chesbro'. 
Small Bureau, made in Bristol in 1780, 1. by Miss A. F. Munro. 
Small Table, 170 years old, formerly owned by Mrs. Potter, the mother 

of Col. Simeon Potter, 1 by Miss A F. Munro. 
Chair, made iu 1755, 1. by Wm. H. Mann. 
Shoemaker's Bench, 1 by Richard S. Pearse, who received it from 

his grandfather, Richard Smith, iu 1821, it being the property of his 

father years before. Supposed to be about 140 years old. 

First Communion Table used in the Episcopal Church in 
Bristol, mahogany, with silk damask cloth, 1. by Wra. P. Munro. 

Light Stand and Chair, formerly belonging to Rev. John Usher, 1. 
by Wm P. Munro. 

Chair, formerly owned by the Wdllcij family, 1. by William C. G. Cush- 
man. 

Fire Screen, worked in crewels, 100 years old, 1. by Mrs. Jacob Bab- 
bitt. 

Small Table, which belonged to Mark Antony and Abigail DeWolf, 
more than 130 years old, 1. by Miss Abby L. DeWolf. 

"As You Like It" Chair, once owned by Rev. John Burt, the Rev- 
olutionary Parson, 1. by Mrs. E. A. Diman. 

Card Table, made of Zebra wood, brought from the coast of Africa, by 
Capt. John DeWolf, 1. by Mrs Clara D. DeWolf. 

Mahogany 'Brass Bound Celaret, 1- by Mrs. W. B. DeWolf. 

Straight Backed, Leather Covered Chair, once owned by 
Nathaniel Byjield, 1. by the Misses Herreshofl". 

Large Chest of Drawers on High Legs, inlaid, and with brass 

mountings, 1. by Herbert H Bosworth. 
Large Mirror, over 160 years old, from the old Sandford house ; very 

heavy solid oak frame, with black and red ornamentation, 1. by Miss 

Lizzie Simmons. 
Chair, of set imported for the first Congress in Philadelphia, 1. by Mrs. 

J. DeW. Perry. 
Large Camp Chest, made of camphor wood, bound with brass, with 

four brass handles and three spring locks, about six feet long, and 

higher than an ordinary table. This was left behind, filled with 

clothing and other property, by Gen. Prescott, commander of the 

British troops on the island of Rhode Island, when he was captured 

by Col Barton; 1. by Mrs. E. A. Diman. 
Liquor Chest, " " " 

"Warming Pan, " " " 

Desk, made by Rev. Henry Wight, and used by him for writing sermons 

on during his lifetime; 1. by Mrs E A. Diman. 



144 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

"As you like it" Chair, owned by Rev. John Burt, who died the 
night Bristol was bomlmrded by Wallace, iu 1775; 1. by Mrs. E. A. 
Dinian. 
Chair, loO yrs. old, belonging to the Dimond family,!, by Mrs. Margaret 

Taylor. 
Shaving- Case of Col. Job Almy, now 200 years old, 1. by Darwin Almy. 
Chair formerly owned by Rev. John Burt, 1. by Mrs. Sam'l White, Prov. 
Chair lOO years old, high back, rush seat, 1. by Mrs. C. L. H. Chesbro'. 
Large Heavy Table, with eight legs, dating from the first settlement 

of Bristol. L. by Trinity Church. 
Two very old high-backed Chairs, one with arms. 1. by Trinity 

Churcli. 
Brass Candlestick, 160 years old, once owned by Mrs. Hope (Power) 

Brown, great-great-grandmother of the Herreshofl* family. 
Table over 200 years old, 1. by Mrs. Maria M Hazard. 
Pair of Andirons in the shape of dogs, over 150 years old, 1. by Miss 

Cordelia Chase. 
Lignum Vitse Sugar-Can and Cover, 180 years old, 1, by William 

P. Munro 
Pair of Andirons iu the form of Scotch Highlanders, very old and 

curious, 1. by Leonard Sandford. 
Tall Brass Andirons, 1 by Veits G. Peck. 
Pair very large and tall Andirons, made of Queen metal, 1. by 

Mrs. C. L. H. Chesbro'. 
Pair of Brass Camp Candlesticks, 1- by Mrs. Gideon Sherman. 
Pair of small old-fashioned Bellows, 1- by Mrs. N. Coggeshall. 
Inkstand belonging to John Throop, 134 years ago, 1. by Mrs. H. W. 

Bache. 
Lignum Vitee Case or Casket, about 200 years old, 1. by Miss A. 

F. Munro. 
Pair of Andirons iu the shape of negro boys, once the property of 

Mr. Hicks West, an old Revolutionary Pensioner; 1. by Miss Emma 

E. Cary. 
Brass Candlesticks and pair of Enamelled Ciirtain Knobs, 

125 years old, 1. by Thomas Easterbrooks. 
Large Mahogany Arm Chair, formerly owned by the Bradford 

fiimily of Mass. L. by Miss Annie F. Munro. 
Large Covered Arm Chair, brought from England by Rev. John 

Usher in 1720, covered with different old-fiishioued chintzes; 1. by 

Miss Lizzie Simmons. 
Three-Cornered Table, with leaf and hidden compartment, from the 

old Sandford house, 1. by Miss Lizzie Simmons. 
Bronze Candlesticks, 200 years old, 1. by Mrs. Hope Blake, 
Hard Wood Sugar Bowl, 200 years old, 1. by Mrs. Asha Card. 
Iron Candlestick, 135 years old, 1. by Miss Abby F. Coy. 
Foot Stove, used in the old Congregational Meeting House, 1. by Mrs, 

Wm. B. Spooncr. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 145 

Book Case, with drawers and glass doors, brass ornaments on top, 
formerly owned by Col. Simeon Potter, 1. by Capt. John D. Diniond. 

Stand, formerly owned by Col. S. Potter, 1. by Capt. John D. Dimond. 

Mahogany Chair, carved with claw feet, one of the prizes captured 
by a Bristol privateer 125 years ago, 1. by Mrs Clara D. DeWolf. 

Very old Looking- Glass, 1- by Miss A. F. Coy. 

Sand Box, made from large African nut, dated D. W., 1744, 1. by Her- 
bert 11. Bosworth. 

Old-fashioned Mirror, 1. by Herl)ert H. Bosworth. 

Old-fashioned Brass Candlesticks, 1. by C. F. Herreshoff. 

Old Mirror, beveled edges, with mahogany and gilt frame, 1. by George 
B. Diman. 

Bull's-Eye Window Glasses, 1- by George B. Diman. 

Swift and two Spinning Wheels, for wool, 1. by Mrs. Mary E. 
Slade. 

Flax Wheel, 1. by Mrs. Clara D. DeWolf. 

Old-fashioned Rocker Chair, 1. by T. L. Fisher. 

Three-Legged Skillet, lined with bell metal. It belonged to William 
Cox, whose father brought it from England, and whose house was on 
the site of the Rogers Library. In May, 1777, the house was fired by 
British soldiers, and burned to the ground. The skillet was found in 
the cellar, where it had fallen. L. by Gilbert Norris. 

Pewter Platter, Plate and Basin, dated 1730. Keg, 1745. Little 
Bucket, 1765. L. by Capt. Peleg P. Rose. 

Very Large Round Pewter Platter, over 150 years old, 1. by Miss 
Sarah Coggeshall. 

Collection of old Pewter Platters and Plates, 1- by John 
DeWolf. 

Tall Clock, that has been going over 100 years, 1. by Samuel Cogge- 
shall. 

Handsome Molucca Wood Table, and very old Round Top 
Table, 1. by Mrs. E. B. Coggeshall. 

Finely Carved Wooden Spoon and Bellows, mahogany and 
ivory, 1. by W. C. Manchester. 

Mahogany Liquor Case, with gilt bottles, 1. by Mrs. Clara D. 
DeWolf. 

Linen Tablecloth, 180 years old, 1. by Mrs. Mary Waldron Chase. 

Large Chintz Curtains, over 100 years old, with quaint designs, cov- 
ering the entire surface, 1. by Mrs. C. L. H. Chesbro'. 

Elegant Silk and Gold Tapestry, with gold bulion woven into the 
design, representing the waves of the sea, with dolphins and gold fish 
swimming through them, brought from China about 1770. L, by Mrs. 
C. L. H. Chesbro'. 

Silk Bed-quilt, made by Alice B. Wight 60 years ago, from pieces of 
dresses then over 100 years old ; 1. by Miss A. F. Alden. 
19 



146 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

Napkin, brought from France to Rhode Island by a French Protestant 
about 190 years ago; 1. by Mrs. Esther Powell Snow. 

Sheet, spun and woven by Mrs. Rebecca Smith before her marriage in 
1801, from flax raised and prepared in Bristol, R. I. L. by Geo. J. 
Smith. Mrs. Smith died a few months ago, in her 99th year. 

Silk Brocade, for furniture covering, dark blue with large crimson and 
gold flowers. Imported from India over 100 years ago. L. by Mrs. 
C. L. H. Chesbro'. 

Stand Cloth, 200 years old, 1. by Mrs. Priscilla Allyn. 

A Pew Door belonging to the "Parson's Pew" of the first meeting- 
house built in Bristol in 1684. It is made of oak wood cut on the 
Common, and when made was for the only pew in the church Each 
member of the church in those days built his pew at his own expense, 
and the first one was built by the society for the use of the minister's 
family. The " meeting-house " stood on the Common, near the site 
of the present Court House. L. by the Congregational Society. 

The "Window that was over the pulpit in the present Town Hall build- 
ing when it was first built for a church nearly 100 years ago. L. by 
Geo. B Diman. 

Large turned Arm Chair, over 150 years old, 1. by Mrs. Clara D. 
DeWolf. 

Bed-quilt, made of pink, green and blue silks, and with the following 
history:— In 1738, Esther Powell, a granddaughter of Gabriel Ber- 
non, was married to James Helme. As America afforded but few 
luxuries then, the parents of the happy bride sent to London for the 
wedding trousseau. Those were the days of " short gowns and 
petticoats," and garments of finest textures and lustrous hue came 
from the mother country. J^ the course of years the clothes became 
worn, and were transformed into this bed-quilt. On the occasion of 
Gen. Washington's last visit to Newport, R. I., it was brought across 
the Ferry from Narragansett to cover the bed on which his august 
form was to repose. As yet it had never been finished; and when 
tiie granddaughter of Ester Powell Helme was married in 1795, a 
sempstress was hired to quilt it. The work occupied six months, 
and the woman received her board and twenty cents per week as her 
wages. The quilt has descended to an Ester Powell through each 
succeeding generation, and is now in possession of one of the name. 
L. by Mrs. Ester Powell Snow. 



ARMS, CANES, ARMAMENTS, ETC. 

Sword, formerly used by Capt. Benj. Church, one of the first settlers in 
Bristol, who defeated King Philip, and carried by Church during King 
Philip's war. Handsome silver handle. L. by Col. Peter Church. 
" Benjamin Church is a prominent name in the early Colonial history. 

Born at Plymouth in 1639, he married Alice Southworth, granddaughter 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 147 

of the distinguished wife of Gov. Bradford. After the close of Philip's 
war, he removed to this town. He purchased largely of the original pro- 
prietors, and held for many years much landed estate. lie built the house 
known as the " Old Talbee House," near the corner of Thames and Con- 
stitution streets. He was frequently elected to offices of trust, was public 
spirited, and contributed with great liberality for the support of institu- 
tions of religion and education. Died, January 17, 1717-18, in Little 
Compton, in the 78tli year of his age." 
Flag-, presented to the town of Bristol by Nath'l Byfleld, in 1723. Made 

of silk, with handsome staff, with silver pike and mountings, made in 

1710. L. by the town of Bristol. 
The lower end of the staff of this flag was thrust into the trunk of an 
old, decayed mazzard cherry tree, to keep it in a perpendicular position. 
There was a relevancy in this. This old tree is the last of a large number 
imported by Byfleld from England soon after the settlement of the town. 
They stood on both sides of the Poppasquash road, leading south from the 
residence of Stephen T. Church. There are persons noAv living who 
remember when some of these trees bore fruit. In the great September 
gale of ISlo, numbers of these trees were prostrated, and those that were 
left standing showed no signs of life afterward. The writer of this remem- 
bers when a boy, that numbers of these knarled and twisted trunks were 
standing spectres of a dead past, like so many mailed sentries, challenging 
the new generation. This old trunk, the last of all its companions, has 
been reverently kept by Mrs. Rogers and her sister, Miss Charlotte 
DeWolf, and was sent over from Poppasquash, with other interesting 
relics, for the exhibition. 
Sword and Epaulets, worn by Benj. Wilcox during the war of the 

Revolution, 1. by Benj. W. Davis. 
Mr. "VVilcox was a revolutionary patriot and soldier, but died at a good 
old age, a short time before Congress passed an act granting pensions. 
British Musket, plowed up near Quaker Hill, Portsmouth, R. I , by 

Isaac Anthony, about 1779, 1. by Edward Anthony, Jr. 
Shot and Balls, lodged in the house of Hon. Benj. Bourne during the 

bombardment of Bristol by Wallace, 1775, 1. by Mrs. J. DeW. Perry. 
Iron Shot, four pounder, fired into the Walley house, on State street, 

during the bombardment of Bristol, by Wallace, in 1775,1. by William 

J. Miller. 
Sextant, used by Capt. John DeWolf during his early voyages. 
Compass, made in Lisbon, 1719, and used on board of the ship " San 
I Jose," captured by " Tom Jones," in the brig "Yankee." L. by Mrs. 

E. A. Diman. 
Handcuff and Shackles, used on board old Bristol slave ships. 
Camp Broiler, used during the Revolution, 1. by Mrs. R. S. Andrews. 
Musket, (Queen Anne), 1745, 1. by Capt. Peleg R, Rose. 
Brass Rstol, 1745, " " " " " " 

Brass Mounted Sword, 1789, I. by Capt. Peleg R. Rose. 



148 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

Cannon Ball and Grape Shot, fired by British, and plowed up on 

the fnvm of Capt Wm. H. West, at Bristol Ferry, 1. by Wm. H. West, Jr. 
Two Flint-Lock Muskets, 1 by Jesse Gladding. 
Cartridge and Grape Shot, " " " '• 

Wooden Lock, " " " " 

Chopping- Knife, over 150 years old, 1. by Mrs. Asha Card. 
Boot Jack, 1715, 1 by J. A. C.^ Gladding. 

China Till, from the old Lee house, 1 by Mrs. Josephus Gooding. 
Pewiier Plate, about 200 years old, 1. by Samuel Coggeshall. 
Spinning "Wheel, I. by Jesse Gladding 
Sword, used by first Colonel (Samuel Wardvvell) of Bristol Artillery, 

1. by M. A. DeW. Howe. 
Gentleman's Dress Sword, of last century, 1. by V. G. Peck. 
Large Bombshell, fired by the British at the bombardment of Bristol 

by Wallace, 1775, and found in the garden of Jonathan Russell, on 

Hope street, 1 by J. R. Bullock. 
Leg of Camp Bedstead, used in the Revolutionary war by Stephen 

Smith, 1. by J. R. Bullock, 
Bassoon and Drum, the latter used at Fort Dumpling in war of 1812, 

1. by George Alger. 
Canteen, used by Preserved Abell during the war of the Revolution, 1. 

by Miss E. Morse. 
Double-barrelled Fhnt-lock Pistol, 1. by Loring Coggeshall. 
Pair of Flint-lock Duelling Pistols, 1- by Lewis H. DeWolf. 
Scales, with six weights, for weighing gold dust, used by Capt. Levi 

DeWolf on the west coast of Africa, 1790, 1. by Cordelia L. Allen. 
Grape Shot, found on the shore of Bristol Harbor imbedded in a stone, 

where it had worn a deep hole, probably by motion caused by the 

tide. From the shape and size supposed to have been fired, by the 

British. L. by Dr. J. C. Gallup. 
Brass Camp Candlesticks, 1- by Mrs. G. Sherman. 
Cup, made from part of man-o'-war Constitution, 1 by Mrs. J, DeW. 

Perry. 
Flag, flown by Star of the West, when attempting to re inforce Fort 

Sumpter, April, 1860, and the first flag fired upon during the war of 

the rebellion. L. by C. Evans. 
Whaleboat, made by W. C. Manchester, 1. by W. C. Manchester, Jr. 
Dressing Case, carried during the Revolutionary war, by Gen. James 

M. Varnum, 1. by Mrs. James DeW. Perry. 
Pin Case, of enamelled copper, belonging to the wife of Gen. Varnum, 

1. by Mrs. J. DeW. Perry. 
Fans, of 100 years ago, 1. by Mrs J. DeWolf Perry. 
Pan, about 150 years old, formerly owned by the wife of Prof. Winthrop, 

of Harvard College, 1. by Mrs. R. S. Andrews. 
Fans, of the olden time, 1. by John DeWolf. 
"Woven Silver Garters, with Knee Buckles set with Stones, 

worn by James Brown over 100 years ago, l.by the Misses Herreshofi". 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 149 

FuU Set Silver Buttons, worn over 100 years ago, 1. by the Misses 
Herreshoff. 

Silver Buttons, 150 years old, 1. by Betsey 11. Chadvvick. 

Buttons, jnade 120 years ago, from shells picked up on the shores of the 
Mediterranean, 1. by the Ilerreshofts. 

Shoe Buckles, Brilliants and Sapphires, formerly worn by Levi 
DeWolf, 1, by Mrs. T. DeW. Colt. 

Silver Shoe Buckles, owned and worn by Benjamin Miller as early as 
1750. He was the great-great grandfather of the present owner. L. 
by William J. Miller. 

Old-fashioned Tortoise Shell Combs, 1. by C. H. Norris. 

Silver Knee Buckles and Shoe Buckles, 1- by Mrs. Clara D, 
DeWolf. 

Silver Knee Buckles, set with stones and curious old gold ring, 1. by 
Mrs. Viets G. Peck. 

Carved Shell Comb, 1. by Miss Ida L. Munro. 

Six Silver Buttons, 150 years old, 1. by Benj. Davis. 

Very Old Silver 'Watch, 1. by Miss C. M. Khepard. 

Interesting- Collection of Rings and Jewelry, worn by old Bris- 
tol people, 1. by Mrs. Clara D. DeWolf. 

Spectacles, 206 years old, 1. by Benj. Dawley. 

Snuff Box, very old, formerly belonged to " Mann " May, 1. by Mrs. 
Morgan. 

Mourning Pin, over 100 years old, with gold setting, 1. by Mrs. Char- 
lotte Goode. 

Gold Suspender Buckles, worn by Capt. Daniel Morice, 1. by Mrs. 
E. S. Babbitt. 

Ring, set with Stones, formerly worn by Col. Sim. Potter,!, by Mrs. 
M. J. Mason. 

Two Gold Watches, enamelled and set with stones, 1. by Messrs. .1. 
and B. D. DeWolf. 

Pocket Book, 1748, 1. by Bennett J. Muuro. 

Cane, of the Hon. Benj. Bourne, 1. by Mrs. J. DeW. Perry. 

Cane, made from the flagship Lawrence, commanded by Com. O. H. 
Perry on Lake Erie, in 1813, 1. by Mrs. J. DeW. Perry. 

Cane, cut on the coast of Africa, by Com. M. C. Perry, when command- 
ing the fleet to suppress the slave trade, 1. by Mrs. J. DeW. Perry. 

Cane, made from the keel of the '• Gaspee," presented to the late John 
Brown Herreshofi", by Col. Ephraim Bowen, in 1825, then the only sur- 
vivor of the Gaspee expedition. The gift to Mr. Herreshofi" was in 
honor of his grandfather, John Brown, who planned and headed the 
expedition. L. by C. F. Herreshofi'. 



150 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



ARTICLES OF DRESS, ETC. 

Piece of "Wedding Dress, worn by Esther Powell, daughter of 

Gabriel Bernon, the French Huguenot, 1. by Esther Powell Snow. 
Silk Dress, embroidered in colors, over 100 years old, formerly worn 

by Mrs. Levi Lane, maternal grandmother of Mrs. C. F. Herreshoff 
Piece of "Wedding Dress, of figured sill?, damask, of Prudence Miller, 

who was married to Ebenezer Cole, January 9th, 1737, 1. by William 

J. Miller. 
Satin Vest, elegantly embroidered in delicate patterns, with silk and 

spangles, formerly owned by James Brown, over 100 years old, 1. by 

C. F. Herreshoff. 

Piece of Silk Dress, formerly worn by Mrs. Simeon Potter, 1. by Mrs. 

J. D. Mason. 
Cotton Dress, a relic of 1765, 1. by Mrs. John Collins. 
Brocade Silk Dress, with large brilliant floral pattern, presented by 

Capt. James Gibbs to his daughter about 1730-40. 1. by Mrs. Rogers. 
Very Old Gold Pin, 1. by Miss M. E. Bourn. 
Perfume Bag, brought from abroad, 1756, 1. by George J Adams. 
Pair of Curious Outside Stays, very finely stitched, worn over 150 

years ago, 1. by Mrs. James B. White. 
Very old Stitched Needle Book, 1. by Loring Coggeshall. 
Wedding Vest, silk, with fine silk embroidery, 112 years old, 1. by 

V^iets G. Peck. 
Old-fashioned Reticule, and two Pieces of Embroidery, loO 

years old, done in Kensington stitch, 1. by Mrs. J. DeW. Perry. 
Two Figured Gauze Veils, one green, and one white, 1. by Mrs. 

Morgan. 
Two Samplers, one worked by Sarah Martindale, 1759, one by Nancy 

Martindale, 1761, 1. by Mrs. Geo. J. Adams. 
Piece of Embroidery, the work of Eliza Almy, great-granddaughter 

of Col. Job Almy, of the Pocasset Purchase, 1. by Mrs. James Corthell. 
Sampler, worked in 1785, by Hannah Drown, 1. by Miss H. B. Luther. 
Mortuary Piece, 1. by Allen B Sandford. 
Wedding Dress of Mrs. John Brown, great-great-grandmother of 

the Herreshoff family, heavy white watered silk, 1. by the Misses 

Herreshoff. 
Silk Dress, worn by Mrs. Brown, gorgeous brocaded bunches of 

flowers on light ground, 1. by Mrs. C. L. H. Chesbro'. 
Wedding Dress of Abby A. Diman, wife of Gov. Byron Diman, 

with mantle, and thread hice veil, all elaborately embroidered by hand; 

satin shoes, lace, etc., 1. by Mrs. C. D. DeWolf. 
Part of Wedding Dress of Mrs. Z. Leonard, 1750, 1. by Mrs. C. 

D. DeWolf. 

Old Silk Dresses, 1. by Miss C. DeWolf and Mrs. Rogers. 
Traveling Bag and Child's Shoes, 1- by Daniel Tanner. 
Framed Needlework, 1. by Mrs. Chas. F. Herreshoff, Jr. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 151 



DOCUMENTS AND OLD PAPERS. 

History of the "World, by Sir Walter Raleigh, published iu 1614, 1. 

by Miss E. 15. Diinan. 
Letter written by Gen. Washington to his "Wife, iiitroduciug 

James Brown, uncle of C. F. Herreshoff, 1. by C. F. Ilerreshoff. 
Bible, 200 years old, given by Mary Holmes to her daughter, Mrs. Benja- 
min Taylor, now owned and loaned by Mrs. Asha A. Card. 
Bible, belonged to the grandmother of Bennet J. Munro, presented by 

her uncle on her 17th birthday, 1748, 1. by Miss Sarah B Munro. 
Child's Picture Book of "Ye Olden Time," 1. by Miss Sarah B. 

Munro. 
Leaves, from the Pulpit Prayer Book used in St. Michael's Church 
before the Revolutionary war, and torn up by the Americans at that 
time, because of the prayers it contained for the King and Royal fam- 
ily, 1. by Mrs. M. Luther Simmons, and Miss Lizzie Simmons. 
Prayer Book, formerly used by Rev. John Usher, and containing sev- 
eral services not now used, 1. by Mrs. M. Luther Simmons. 
Subscription Paper, for starting the first Methodist Church in Bristol, 

1. by Augustus N. Miller. 
Public Document, Proceedings of R. I. Legislature, 1763, 1. by Mrs. 

John Gravlin. 
Commission of Jonathan Russell, first Collector of the port of 
Bristol. This Commission is dated in 1804, and signed by Thomas Jef- 
ferson, President, and James Madison, Secretary of State. L. by J. 
Russell Bullock. 
Book, The Fulfilling of the Scripture, published in 1671, once owned by 
Hopestill Potter. It has been in Bristol siuce the early history of the 
town. L. by Miss Annie F. Munro. 
One Very Large Bible, 1. by John P. Simmons. 
New Bng-land Primer, 1- by Miss Emily Morse. 
Two Manuscript Sermons, by Rev. John Williams, 1. by Miss Emily 

Morse. 
Collection of Continental Money, 1 by Miss Emily Morse. 
Life of Israel Potter, a Revolutionary soldier, 1. by Geo. J. Adams. 

Israel Potter enlisted a private in Col. Patterson's regiment, one of the 
first regiments raised iu this State. He was severely wounded in the bat- 
tle of Bunker Hill. In July, 1775, he volunteered as a seaman on board 
of the armed brigantine Washington, Capt. Sion Martiudale, and was cap- 
tured and sent over to England a prisoner, where he remained iu exile 
more than fifty years. He finally returned to this country iu his old age 
with an only son, the sole survivor of a large family. 
Diary of Rev. Henry "Wight, from 1721 until 1812, containing an 
account of the "dark day," May, 1780, the earthquake iu New En- 
gland, etc., etc., 1. by Mrs. E. A. Diman. 



152 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

Almanac, 1C82, with notes, recipes, etc., in writing, 1. by Mrs. E. A. 

Diniau. 
Eight Sermons, preached bj' Rev. John Burt before the Revolution, 1. 

by Mrs. E. A. Diman. 
Deed, signed by John Walley, 1685, 1. by Mrs. E. A. Diman. 
Book, containing a copy of the original constitution of the United States, 

1. by H. Herbert Bosworth. 
Deed, signed by the four original proprietors of Bristol, Nath'I Byfleld, 

John Walley, Nath'I Oliver, Stephen Burton, 1. by S. Pomeroy Colt. 
Copy of the Ne"wport Mercury, March 11, 1760, 1. by John DeWolf. 
Copy of the N. Y. Gazette, November 15, 1773, 1. by John DeWolf. 
Copy of Newport Mercury, the type for printing of which was set 

by Benj. Franklin, 1. by Miss C. DeWolf and Mrs. M. DeW. Rogers. 
A number of old New York and Boston Papers, sent to Bris- 
tol subscribers, 1. by George B. Diman. 
Commission of "Wilham Munro, as Justice of the Peace, 1748, 

signed by ye Gov. Wm. Greene, 1. by Miss Annie F. Munro. 
Manuscript Letter of Gov. William Coddington, 1718, to Wil- 
liam Munro, 1. by Miss A. F. Munro. 
Manuscript Letter of Nath'I Byfleld, 1720, 1. by Miss A. F. Munro. 
Manuscript Bill from Dr. Tallman, 1721, 1. by Miss A. F. Munro. 
An Appeal to the Court at Cambridge, from a judgment by 

Nath'I Blagrove, Judge of Probate, by Nath'I Kay and William Munro, 

1730, 1. by Miss Annie F. Munro. 
Contract, between Christo. Hopkins and Simeon Potter, for the delivery 

of a six-pounder carriage gun, 1759, 1. by Miss Annie F. Munro. 
Very Old Newspaper, 1- by J. Gladding. 
Old Deeds, 1. by Mrs J. R. Gardner. 
History of Demonology, 1- by Miss M. G. DeWolf. 
English Liberties, farewell Sermons, 1. by Samuel B. Coggeshall. 
Judge Bourne's Commission, signed by John Adams, 1. by Mrs. J. 

DeW. Perry. 
History of Britain, 1C71, by John Milton, 1. by Mrs. J. DeW. Perry. 
Boston Gazette, 1749, •' " " " " 

Boston Evening Post, 1749, " " " " " 

The Massachusetts Continental, 1788, " " " " " " 
Funeral Sermon, on the death of Gov. William Bradford, by Rev. 

Alexander V. Griswold, Bristol, 1808, 1. by William J. Miller. 
Funeral Oration, tlelivered at R. I. College, 1775, 1. by Mrs. J. DeW. 

Perry. 
Funeral Sermons, on old Bristol people, by Rev. H. Wight, I. by Mrs. 

Clara D. DeWolf. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 153 



INDIAN RELICS. 

The committee knowing tliat many specimens of Indian stone relics 
had been found at and near Bristol, desired to make a fine display of the 
same, and requested Mr. Chaulks Gorton, of Providence, to place on 
exhibition in the Town Hall, selections from his cabinet of Rhode Island 
Indian stone implements. He cheerfully complied with the request, also 
drawing attention to the following quotation he had made from Hutchin- 
son's Massachusetts, from a copy In the John Carter Brown Library : " At 
the beginning of Philip's war it was generally agreed that the Narragan- 
sett tribe consisted of 2,000 lighting men. They were the most curious 
coiners of the Wampurapeag, and supplied the other nations with many 
pendants and bracelets, also with tobacco pipes of stone, some blue, and 
some white. They furnished the earthern vessels and pots for cookery, 
and other domestic uses." The following is a list of the specimens placed 
on exhibition by Mr. Charles Gorton : 

1. Steatite Pot, from the Angell, Johnston, Indian Quarry. 

2. Pipe, found in a grave near Silver Spring. 

3. Sinker, found on the Hon. S. W. Church farm, Bristol. 

4. Two specimens of Bracers, found in a grave near Silver Spring, 

5. Spindle Whirl, from a grave near Apponaug. 

6. Slickstone, found in East Providence, near Fort Hill. 

7. Two frames of Arrow Points, found for the most part on Warwick 
plains, consisting of nearly all the varieties. 

8. Lot of Borers, Awls and Drills, found at Wickford. 

9. Amulet, found on the Armington farm. Kettle Point. 

10. Four Pipes, found at Bristol, Quidnesset, Wickford and Poto- 
womut. 

11. Gouge, found in Coventry. 

12. Skin Dresser, from Newport, 

13. Chisel, from Pawtucket. 

14. Roller, from Field's Point. 

15. Pestle, found in an Indian grave at Swan Point. 

16. Axe, found while excavating for the Rhode Island Hospital Trust 
Company building, South Main street. Providence. 

17. Stone Mask, found in 1873, at Field's Point, one of only three spec- 
imens known in the United States. 

18. Arrow Points, in process of formation, found near Old Maids' Cove. 

19. Pipe, from Rumstick Point. 

20. Hematite, or War Paint, found in a grave near Newport. 

21. Two Copper Spoons, from a grave at Charlestown. 

22. Spear Points, found on Point Judith. 

23. Knife Blades, from difl'erent parts of the State. 

24. Stone, used in Indian games, from Wickford. 

20 



154 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

25. Scraper, used with metal to produce fire, from Prudence Island. 

26. Harrow Points, from Charlestown. 

27. Hatchet, fouud near Appouaug. 

28. Polished Celt, from Charlestown. 

29. Hematite Paint Cup, from East Providence. 

30. Sling Stone, from Warwick. 

31. One foot of Bone Money, fouud in a grave In a sand hill, near 
Apponaug. 

32. Seven feet of Wampumpeag, found on the farm of George W. 
Greene, Bristol. 

33. Five feet of Wampum, found on the Poor Farm, Bristol. 

34. Four feet of Wampum, fouud on the Dyer farm, near Devil's Foot 
Rock, Wickford. 

35. Four feet of Wampum, fouud in a grave in a sand hill, on the Dyer 
farm, near Wickford. 

36. Arrow, showing the manner of attaching the point. 

37. Iron Hatchet, showing imprints of blanket, from an Indian grave, 
George W. Greene farm, Bristol. 

38. Copper Cup, in which Wampumpeag was found in a grave on 
George W. Greene's ftirm. 

Mr. Gorton exhibited many other Indian Stone Relics of eqiial interest, 
also a Deed of a Slave, dated at Newport, R. I., 1746; also an autographic 
letter of Samuell Gorton, dated Warwick, R. I., 1649; also a package of 
Colonial and Continental Currency. 

Stone Tomahawk and Pestle, loaned by Mrs. Clara D. DeWolf. 

Two large Stone Axes, 1. by C. F. HerreshoflF, Jr. 

Two Stone Axes, 1. by Jesse Gladding. 

Indian Hammer, " " " " 

String of Wampum, 1. by. Jesse Gladding. 

String of Wampum, 1. by George W. Greene. 

Indian Pestle, 1. by " " " 

Indian Pipes, " " " " " 

Indian Stone Implements, 1. by Mrs. J. DeW. Perry. 

Kernels of Charred Corn, picked up on the site of the old Indian For- 
tress, in South Kingstown, the place of the Great Swamp fight, December 
19, 1675, more than two hundred years ago— and yet they are well pre- 
served, and some of the kernels quite perfect. Dug up August 19, 1873. 
L. by William J. Miller. 

A fact worthy of mention, connected with this Loan Exhibition, is, that 
notwithstanding the large number of articles, and the freedom with which 
many of them were handled, not a single article was broken or missed in 
the entire collection. 



oorrespo:n^dexoe. 



Newport, K. I., 8 September, 1880. 
I am very grateful to the town of Bristol for doing me the honor of 
inviting me to join in celebrating the two hundredth anniversary of its 
existence ; and I regret exceedingly that it will not be in my power to be 
its guest on that auspicious day. With the hope that its history for the 
next two hundred years may be as beautiful and patriotic and happy as 
for the last, 

I am, most heartily. 

Its greatly obliged well wisher, 

GEO. BANCROFT. 



Consulate of the United States, 
Lisbon, Sept. 1st, 1880. 
LeBaron B. Colt, Esq., President of the Bi- Centennial Committee of Bristol : 

Dear Sir: — I have much pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of the 
invitation of tlie Bi-Ceutenulal Committee of the town of Bristol, to be 
present at the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the settle- 
ment of the town, on tlie 24th of September, 1880. 

I regret very much tliat the long distance of my present residence from 
my native town, and my official duties here, render it impossible for me to 
be present, which would be to me a great pleasure. 

I am proud to be a son of Bristol, and although I am separated from it 
by three thousand miles of space, and eighteen years of time, yet my 
interest in it is the same as ever. 

During that time more than two thousand of the inhabitants of the town 
have died, and among them many of my old friends and acquaintances ; 
yet as a proof of the conservative character of the town, I find on your 
committee of forty-five that all but three are old friends and acquaintances. 

Descended, as I am, from the earliest settlers of the town, having cast 
ray first vote as a landholder on land which had never been out of my 
family since the original charter was granted, having been made a repre- 
sentative of the town at a very early age in the legislature, and always 



156 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

having taken the greatest interest in the annals, local history, as well as 
the prosperity of the town, you can well imagine the sympathy I feel in 
the reiiuion you are about to celebrate. 

With my best wishes for the good health and prosperity of you, and your 
fellow committeemen, as well as all our fellow townsmen in the good old 
town of Bristol, 

I remain. 

Yours very truly, 

HENRY W. DIMAN. 



Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, Aug. 13, 1880. 
Mr. LeBaron Colt, President of Committee : 

Dear Sir: — lam in receipt of your invitation to attend, as a " Son of 
Bristol," the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of that town. 
I regret that I shall be unable to accept, in person, but shall, in heart, be 
with you all. I should be very happy to clasp the hands of old-time 
schoolmates and friends, after an absence of thirty years, but the pleasure 
is denied me. On the "day we celebrate," I will drink to " Bristol, its 
sons and its daughters," hoping at some not far distant day, to meet and 



greet them all. 



Very sincerely yours, 

GEO. T. BOURNE. 



Chicago, Sept. 17, 1880. 
Messrs. LeBaron B. Colt, William J. Miller and Edward Babbitt, Com- 
mittee, etc. : 

Gentlemen : — Your highly valued communication of the first of Sep- 
tember inst., inviting me to unite with the sons and daughters of Bristol 
on the 24th instant, in celebrating the two hundredth anniversary of the 
settlement of our venerated town, was duly received. Among the lasting 
regrets of my life will be that of not being able to have been with you in 
person on that interesting occasion. But be assured I shall be there in 
spirit, and on that day shall at least in imagination listen to the eloquent 
words of Prof. Diman, as he calls up from the dim and misty past the 
many events of interest in our town's history; and to Bishop Howe, who 
will invest the stories of the past as only 

" He best can paint tbem, who shall feel them most." 

And now wishing you perfect success in your undertaking, hoping and 
fondly believing that the future of Bristol maybe even more than the past, 
I look in imagination down the vista of Time to that day 

" When other men our lands shall till, 
When other men our streets will fill, 
And other birds will sing as gay, 
As bright the sunshine as to-day. 
Two hundred years from now." 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BKISTOL. 157 

William J. Miller, Esq. : 

My Dear Sir:— I duly received your Committee's note of invitation to 
the Bi-Centeunial, and since then a similar one from your President, Mr. 
Colt. To-day I reply addressing myself to the Committee. lean assure 
you I am much grieved at the thought of not being with you on the 24th. 
I have had no- time to prepare any proper expression of my thoughts fit 
for the occasion, and can only, send my best wishes. 
Yours with warm regard, 

WILLIAM F. D'WOLF, 
Chicago, 111., 226 Dearborn avenue. 



Jerseyville, 111., September 18, 1880. 
LeBaron B. Colt, Esq., Bristol, B. I. : 

My Dear Sir : — Mrs Warren and I each received from you as President 
of the Committee, your kind and cordial invitation to attend the Bi-Cen- 
tennial Anniversary of the town of Bristol, and we desire to express to 
you our thanks for your kindly remembrance of us, and our unfeigned 
regrets on account of our inability to be present on that delightful occa- 
sion. Although nearly forty-tive years have elapsed since I left the home 
of my boyhood, and many new and strong ties now bind me to the West, 
yet the very name of the dear old town of Bristol, awakens in my mind a 
host of pleasant memories, and I long to revisit the place where the sunny 
days of ray childhood and youth were spent, clouded only by the sad 
bereavement I suffered in the death of my mother, whose dust now reposes 
in your cemetery. I can conceive of nothing temporal in its nature, that 
would afford my wife and myself so much pleasure as this contemplated 
reiinion of the sons and daughters of Bristol, if we could be with you. It 
seems to me that it would be a foretaste of the blessed reiinion of the 
redeemed in the bright home above the skies. There are living in Bristol 
many of our kindred whom we have never seen, and we should be most 
happy to meet them and exchange fraternal greetings, and together trace 
out our common lineage, and have our hearts bound with quicker pulsa- 
tions as hand clasped hand in mutual recognition of the sacred ties of 
blood binding us together. Time has also spared a few whose faces we 
have seen and whose visages as they appeared in youth still sweetly linger 
in our memories. Oh! what joy it would give us to greet them once 
more on this side of the " river." I often think of your mother as I last 
saw her in Bristol, in the bloom and beauty of her girlhood, and her 
beautiful image is before me now as I write, and I grieve that I may not 
see her again. Circumstances beyond my control prevent my leaving here 
at this time, and I am compelled to forego the delight it would afford me 
to be with you. A kind Providence has favored me since my removal 
from Bristol. I came here a youth, and am now a. patriarch. I have eight 
children, four sons, and four daughters, all married but one, and my 
grandchildren now number seventeen. I have lost by death one child, and 



i 



158 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

oue grandchild. My family are nil pleasantly situated, and if I should 
briug them all with me to your Bi-Centeuuial, the number in attendance 
would be very materially increased; and I don't think Bristol would feel 
dishonored by the twenty-Jive lineal descendants of that son and daughter 
of hers who left her pleasant shores and her shady streets more than forty 
years ago, to seek a home in the " Prairie State." 

With our kind regards to your mother, and our best wishes for the 
health and prosperity of all our old friends in the dear old town, 
I am very truly yours, 

GEO. E. WARREN. 



New York, Sept. 10th, 1880. 
Mr. Wm. J. Miller, Committee, etc. : 

My Deau Fellow Townsman : — The kind manner in which you have 
communicated to me the inviatiou of your committee to be present at the 
celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of Bristol, 
the home of my ancestors; and the gratitude I feel for the honor con- 
ferred upon me, will constrain me, if possible, to comply with your invita- 
tion. If not, I shall endeavor to comply with the request to favor you 
"with a letter embodying such thoughts as the occasiou may prompt"; 
which, of course, will contain the greater part of my intended speech. 

Should our descendants inherit, and copy, the integrity, energy and 
piety of our forefathers, the sons of Bristol will already have made sure 
the prayer for her " esto perpetna," which is fervently breathed for her by 
the oldest of her surviving children, 

BENJAMIN BOSWORTH SMITH. 



Rev. John Burt Wight. 

Wayland, Mass., Sept 21st, 1880. 
To Mr. William J. Miller, Committee : 

Dear Sir :— My father's hand trembles so much that it is quite impos- 
sible for him to use it in writing, but at your request I will send you some 
of the recollections of his early boyhood. 

He says : " I have never kept a diary, and must in my account be guided 
by definite impressions made on my mind by passing events. Bristol was 
purchased and settled by four English gentlemen. They probably were 
impressed by its commercial position and the remarkable beauty of its 
locality. In my boyhood I went frequently to a house near Mt. Hope, 
built by one of these gentlemen. It was then occupied by Governor Brad- 
ford. The walls of oue room were hung with tapestry, representing the 
story of Jephtha and his daughter, the figures of life size. The streets 
were laid out with great regularity, and ornamented by hundreds of the 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 159 

mazzard cherry trees, brought from England ; as these trees decayed from 
age, they were replaced by the Lombardy poplar, 

"My mother was in delicate health, and some gentlemen of my father's 
society presented her with a chaise, which was the second covered wheel 
carriage in town ; but in a few years chaises had become so numerous 
that a party of gentlemen and ladies rode out to meet my father on his 
return from his annual visit to Boston, and had a tea drinking at Warren. 

" I went to school with other small children to Madam Burt, the widow 
of the former clergyman. Afterwards Mr. Joseph Rawson taught a pri- 
vate school in the Court House. He was a very able man, and a good 
teacher. 

" Then a spacious academy building was erected. It contained a hall, 
used for occasional meetings of the Legislature, and other purposes ; also 
a library room. This room was occupied by a Proprietors' Library. 

"The town had been furnished with a few of the leading theological 
works, which were kept in the meeting-house for the perusal of the peo- 
ple who remained during the interval of religious services. The Proprie- 
tors' Library consisted of miscellaneous books, the popular tales, histo- 
ries, travels. At an early date Col. Simeon Potter, of Scituate, gave 
several hundred dollars and a set of the Encyclopedia Britannica, in 
twenty volumes, two with plates. These books were all imported from 
London. The Library was called the Potter Library, in honor of Col. 
Potter. 

" Bristol, at an early period, was engaged in the slave trade. I recollect 
seeing on the wharf long rows of hogsheads of New England rum, to be 
sent to Africa for the purchase of slaves. My father took me with him to 
see the last slave ship fitted out. It was owned by Philadelphians, and in 
derision of scruples which were beginning to be felt, was called the 
'Merry Quaker.' There were handcuffs hanging in the blacksmith's 
shop. There were in town a number of Africans regarded as belonging to 
particular families. These had special seats provided for them in the 
upper gallery of the Congregational Church. They were headed by 
Scipio Burt, the servant of the former minister. Scipio was generally 
esteemed for his good nature and honesty, and was several years sexton 
of the church. 

"The neighboring ministers, acquaintances and friends of my father, or, 
rather, some of them, were Drs. Hopkins and Patten, of Newport, Mr. 
Watson, of Barrington, Mr. Pipond, of Taunton, Dr. Fobes, of Raynham, 
Dr. Wilson, of Providence. My early years saw the discovery of electricity 
by Dr. Franklin. There was much interest on the subject, and my father 
gave fifty dollars for an electrical machine. The ladies came once a year 
to visit at their minister's, each of them bringing two skeins of linen as a 
present to his wife. There were two chimneys in the centre of the house, 
and the doors could be opened all around. The favorite amusement was 
to form a circle and receive an electric shock. 

" The people of Bristol held funeral services on occasion of the death of 
Washington. A coflin was carried in procession, an oration pronounced, 
then the coffin was deposited in a tomb," 



160 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

My father is not quite as well as usual, and what I send you is the best 
result I could obtain to-day. I do not know as it is at all what you want. 
At eighty years my father would have been able to be in Bristol ou such 
an occasion, but at ninety, of course he has failed in body and mind. 
Yours respectfully, 

MARTHA B. WIGHT. 



New York, Sept. 1, 1880. 
LeBaron B. Colt, Esq., President: 

Dear Sir : — I have received the invitation to attend the celebration of 
the Bi-Centennial of the town of Bristol, and must thank the Committee 
for the attention, wondering that I should, at this distance of time, have 
been found out as one of her sons. 

Believe me, I have not, without pleasure, written my birthplace as 
Bristol, that sturdy little town, well known in the war of 1812, which then, 
asserting her own, has not ceased to assert it to this hour. 

The day for their first settlement at Bristol was chosen by our progen- 
itors for good reasons doubtless ; probably for the best of all reasons, 
necessity; but (what they could not be expected to foresee), its tvro 
hundredth anniversary happens on a day when one of her sous, at least, 
will be so engaged as to make it difficult, if not impossible, for him to be 
absent from the home to which he has wandered. 

It would give me great pleasure to visit my birthplace again. A town 
two hundred years old may be proud of its antiquity in a country where 
cities come to maturity in a decade, having hardly known infancy, and 
quite ignorant of such an idea as childhood. 

I trust the day may pass to the satisfaction and triumph of those present 
sons and daughters of their venerable parent, who have had the courage, 
as well as filial affection, to undertake to do her honor. 

I would be glad, under such auspices, to look again on the places which 
seem very distinct to my recollection, albeit the long shadows of nearly 
sixty years intervene. I fear the remembered vastness of many of them 
would diminish greatly on actual sight. There was the Common, on 
which took place the general training, with the great cannon and the 
masterly manceuvres of the sham-fight, the journey across which was too 
great to be undertaken alone ; the mighty harbor, the voyage over which 
to the opposite shore wa^ only to be made in fair weather, and on a calm 
day; the lofty height of Mount Hope, reached with much climbing, 
rewarded by a fine lunch ; the church, whose vast proportions were sel- 
dom quite filled by the congregation. Ah, sir, I fear the pleasure of the 
pictures would be destroyed by too great familiarity now. It is well, per- 
haps, that I cannot come. 

Wishing every success to the effort to make the day worthy of the occa- 
sion, I am respectfully, 

And cordially yours, 

MARLBOROUGH CHURCHILL. 



BI-CENTENNIAJL OF BRISTOL. 161 

Calvary Ciiukcii, Rkctory, Manheim Strket, 

Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 22, 1880. 
Messrs. LeBaron B. Colt, Wm. J. Miller, Edtvard S. Babbitt, Committee : 
Dear Sirs : — Pardou my delay in replying to your gratifying invitation 
bearing date of September 1. My apology is absence from home, enforced 
by an inflamed knee joint, which disabled me and prevented my return 
until yesterday. I am still unable to walk, and accordingly am compelled 
to decline the invitation which you kindly extend to me, 

I sincerely regret that I cannot participate in this anniversary of my 
native town, to renew early compansionship, and to recall pleasant mem- 
ories. Of these many cluster around the old Academy, which is now sup- 
planted by the Byfield School, and from which I passed to our Rhode 
Island college, having been prepared by him who is now in Paradise, 
exchanging the knowledge which is in part for that which is perfect. His 
diversified acquirements, and his marked abilities as a teacher, being 
joined with retiring, studious habits and great humility, never received 
that public recognition which they deserved. But those of his pupils who 
knew him intimately and affectionately, will, I am confident, feel that the 
name of the Rev. N. B. Cooke should have a grateful mention at this anniver- 
sary, and that his years of faithful and wise instruction made an enduring 
impression upon those Bristol youth, who were so fortunate as to come 
under the influence of his honest scholarship and of his manly meekness. 

Other features of the town now erased recur to me as I write, such as 
the two old wind mills, standing like two sentinels at each end of the 
town, challenging the Quixotic exploits of us boys, who, disposed "to 
run amuck and tilt at all we meet," with the vandal spirit of youth, 
hastened their overthrow and gradual removal. 

Amid these pleasant paths of memory one might wander on to the point 
of weariness. I will halt here, wishing God's blessing upon dear old 
Bristol, and a complete success for its Bi-Centennial Celebration. 

Were I so fortunate as to form one of your goodly company, I would be 
disposed to otter some such sentiment as this : If Cowper said truly that 
" God made the country and man made the town," then should the moral 
architects and artizans of our community build in harmony with the design 
and beginning made by the Divine Originator, building up its morality 
pure and undeflled as the unpolluted waters which encircle the town for 
its protection and purification,— fostering manners gentle and graceful as 
the curving lines of her shores — maintaining the straight paths of virtue 
as her streets stand four square to all the winds that blow ; and as her 
shores are ever ringing with the echoes and ripplings of the boundless sea 
beyond, so may the blending of thought and action, of earnest tongue and 
honest toil be telling of a near and larger future, and form a chime to 

" Ring out false pride in place and blood, 
The civic slander and the spite ; 
Ring in the love of truth and right, 
Ring in the common love of good." 

Yours very truly, JAS, D'WOLF PERRY. 

21 



162 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

Akron, O., Sept. 15, 1880. 
LeBaron B. Colt: 

Dear Sir :— I received the kind invitation of your Committee to attend 
the Reunion of the Sons and Daughters of Bristol, and I sincerely regret 
that I cannot be present to celebrate with you that happy occasion. 

Years have passed since I walked the shady streets of dear old Bristol. 
In fancy I stand once more beneath the waving branches of the elms that 
shadow my childhood's play-ground, the grassy Common; again I linger 
by the shore, looking out upon the sparkling waves of old Narraganse.tt, 
and take one long, delicious draught of that cool, invigorating air. I 
breathe again— alas, the vision has vanished, and the smoke and fumes of 
bituminous coal are wafted to me on the evening air, reminding me that 
I am far away from those delightful ocean breezes, in the neighborhood of 
a busy, bustling inland town. 

How gladly would I meet (were it possible) with the many deaf friends 
and old acquaintances who will, on the twent^'-fourth day of September, 
throng the streets of our ancient town. 

Hoping that the occasion may indeed be a joj'ous one to all present, I 
remain, 

Yours respectfully, 

Mrs. O. S. WARNER. 



Sylvania, Bradford Co., Pa., May 7th, 1880. 
To B. J. Munro, Esq. : 

Dear Sir :— Yours of 1st inst. traveled slow, for some reason or other, 
only reaching me last evening, 6th. In reply, shall be pleased to give 
you any information that I can. I am always pleased to hear from any 
one in our •' Father land." You said in your letter that you were going 
to have a Centennial Celebration to celebrate the two hundredth anniver- 
sary of its settlement (Bristol), and that you were going to invite all her 
sons and daughters to "come home "and join you in that celebration. 
Certainly it must be a pleasure beyond expression to tliose who have been 
long absent in other lauds to visit the home of their childhood again on 
such a day, devoted to the recollections of the past. Will it not be one of 
the grandest days in her history, for many a gray-haired old man, as he 
returns to the home of his childhood to stand again upon his native soil, 
to look again upon the waters of the beautiful Narragansett, and seek out 
his playgrounds of fifty years ago, though long absent, not forgotten? It 
will renew their attachment to old Bristol again, if anything were neces- 
sary to do it; but I do not know as there is, for her children, wherever 
they may wander or seek homes in far-off lands, will remember her with 
the same affectionate regard as the captive Hebrew remembered his much- 
loved Jerusalem. I send to you such names as occur to me now ; perhaps 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 163 

I shall think of some more, and will send them to you. Shall be pleased to 
answer any inquiries, and hoping to be able to join you in the reiinion on 
the 24th of September next, I remain. 

Very respectfully yours, 

HENRY B. CARD. 



New Haven, Sept. 13, 1880. 
Messrs. Colt, Miller and Babbitt, Committee : 

Gentlemen :— I thank you for the invitation to me to be present at the 
Centennial Celebration of the settlemeut of the town of Bristol. It would 
give me great pleasure on many accounts to be present on that interesting 
occasion. I hope that if my health, which has been and still is quite im- 
perfect, permit, I will comply with your kind invitation. Fifty-four years 
have passed since I resigned my pastorate in that agreeable place of resi- 
dence. Yet I have not lost my attachment to that town, and to its highly 
favored people. 

It was through the kind ordering of a wise Providence that I was asso- 
ciated with the venerable, kind-hearted senior pastor, Dr. Wight, as col- 
league with him for eleven years. This pastoral relation was very 
agreeable and uniformly harmonious. He was willing to assist me in any 
of the ministerial labors incumbent on us. For many years he had been 
the sole pastor, and was capable of giving advice to his junior associate. 
We were together as mutual laborers in the same field of spiritual culture. 

With him and his family we enjoyed that pleasant intercourse which 
becomes the household of faith. The memory of it has given me pleasure 
to this day. 

The year 1820 was signalized by a precious and powerful revival of 
religion. It was a truly pentecostal season. It commenced in our con- 
gregation, and soon spread into the other congregations of the place. 
The whole population was aroused and deeply interested, and converts by 
the power of the Holy Spirit were multiplied. A deep solemnity and 
religious joyfuluess pervaded the whole community. Worldly business 
was for a time laid aside as far as practicable. Stores and shops were 
closed, and attention to ordinary affiiirs was suspended. Attending relig- 
ious meetings from day to day became the most important occupation. 
An aged wealthy man met me in the street, and said with surprise, "What 
does all this mean? It seems as if the people did not want to do much 
else than to attend religious meetings." It was even so. 

May the God of all grace soon give you such another copious effusion of 
the Spirit which shall occasion great joy in fair old Bristol, and also joy 
among the holy beings in heaven. 

I hope to be with you on the day previous to the celebration. 
Yours respectfully, 

J. MANN. 



164 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

Chicago, Sept. 16, 1880. 

Gentlemex: — I have received your kind invitation to attend the two 
hundredth anniversary of the settlement of Bristol. I regret very much 
ray inability to attend. The name of the town, something of its history, 
and legends, were made familiar to me in childhood by the conversation 
of my father and mother, who were born in its neighborhood. 

Certainly one of the most heroic and interesting characters in all our 
Indian annals was the great Chief of the Warapanoags. I hope to see the 
rocky heights of Mt. Hope crowned with a monument to King Philip. 

The day you celebrate will be full of the memories of the past, and hopes 
for the future; not only for your town and State, but for the great 
Republic, which has grown so rapidly and become so great. You will 
join with me in the prayer that our country may continue to advance 
through other centuries, and that the principles of liberty, regulated by law, 
and based on virtue and intelligence, of which your State furnishes so 
bright an example, may extend over the whole continent of America. 

With many thanks, I am, gentlemen, 

Very truly yours, 

ISAAC N. ARNOLD. 
Messrs. Colt, Miller and Babbitt, Committee. 



Providence, September 20th, 1880. 
William J. Miller, Esquire, Bristol : 

Dear Sir : — Your communication, accompanied by an invitation to be 
present at the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the town of 
Bristol on the 24th instant, has been received. 

I have waited thus long before replying, in order that I might be able to 
determine whether I could accept the invitation. My time, as I am now 
situated, is not my own. 

It would give me great pleasure to be present on that occasion and revive 
8ome pleasant memories of men and things in Bristol forty years ago ; 
but my official duties will require my presence in this city on that day. 
Yours respectfully, 

JAMES C. HIDDEN. 



Bkown University, Providence, Sept. 21, 1880. 
Messrs. LeBaron B. Colt, Wm. J. Miller, and Edward S. Babbitt, Com- 
mittee : 

Gentlemen : — I have delayed replying to your polite invitation, in the 
hope that I might And myself able to accept it; but I regret to say at this 
late hour, that my college engagements for the 24th inst. compel me to 
forego the great pleasure of being present at the celebration of the two 
hundredth anniversary of the town of Bristol. I thank you for the invi- 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 165 

tation to be present on an occasion of so great interest and importance, 
and I pray you to accept my hearty wish, that the heavens may smile upon 
you on that day, and that all fortunate influences may conspire to make It 
a great and a good day in the history of your town. 
I have the honor to be, 

Yours very truly, 

J. L. LINCOLN. 



Providence, Sept. 18, 1880. 
Gentlemen :— I am greatly obliged to you for your polite invitation to 
take part in the forthcoming celebration of the two hundredth anniversary 
of the settlement of Bristol. It would give me great pleasure to be present 
on the interesting occasion, but the state of my health compels me, very 
reluctantly, to decline. I have deferred replying sooner to your invitation 
in the hope that I might give a favorable reply. 
Yours very respectfully, 

JOHN R. BARTLETT. 
Wm. J. Miller, Esq., for Committee. 



Providence, Sept. 24, 1880. 
Messrs. Colt, Miller and Babbitt, Bi-Cefitennial Committee: 

Gentlemen :— It is with deep regret that I find myself precluded the 
enjoyment of participating in your festivities to-day ; but a form of disease 
which has kept me within doors for several days, is not so far mastered as 
to render it prudent for me to risk the fatigue and excitement incident to 
the occasion. While, therefore, I cannot participate with the throng in 
the pleasures of the Bi-Centennial of your town, I feel prompted to con- 
gratulate you on propitious skies, the zeal with which the inhabitants of 
Bristol have entered into the work of preparation, and the skill, taste, and 
good judgment exhibited by the Committee of Arrangements in executing 
their plans. Bristol has an honorable history, and can justly boast a long 
line of noble representative men. In the Revolutionary struggle — a suc- 
cessful struggle for national life— no town in the Colony was more patri- 
otic, or resisted the assaults of the enemy with more firmness ; and from 
the day that the late venerable President of our Historical Society, John 
Howland — then a mere stripling— joined the Company of Capt. Pearce, at 
the Battery, for the defence of the town against the apprehended attack 
of Wallace, until the present day, the patriotism and public spirit of its 
people have never been questioned. That the inspirations of to-day will 
energize that spirit for time to come, I cannot doubt, and that the Bristol 
inhabitants of 1980 will prove worthy descendants of worthy sires, the 
commemoration of the third century of the town's life will unquestionably 
make clear. 

Very truly yours, 

EDWIN M. STONE, 



166 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

Messrs. LeBaron B. Colt, William J. Miller, Edward S. Babbitt, Committee : 
Gentlemex : — Your Bi-Centennial Celebration will take place during the 
first week of the session of the Supreme Court in this county, which pre- 
cludes my accepting the very kind invitation with which you have honored 
me. 

I have long been interested in the history of Bristol, and it would afi'ord 
me great pleasure to receive instruction in its facts from its students, 
who in its study have had the aid and inspiration which locality always 
affords, and I very sincerely regret that this pleasure will be denied me. 
Very respectfully and truly yours, 

W. P. SHEFFIELD. 
Newport, Sept. 3, 1880. 



PiJOViDENCE, R. I., Sept. 14, 1880 
Messrs. LeBaron B. Colt, Wm. J. Miller, and Edward S. Babbitt: 

Gentlemen :— I am very sorry that previous engagements will prevent 
the acceptance of your invitation to be present at your Bi-Centennial. I 
cannot make arrangements to change them. I trust that it will be a glad 
and glorious day to the people of Bristol, and that from it may spring an 
inspiration to a grand and noble future for the old town. It has passed 
the period of adolescence ; may its maturity be marked by perpetual fresh- 
ness and vigor, and by steady advancement in intelligence, morality, 
religion, enterprise, and all those elements of prosperity and excellence so 
tersely summed up in the motto of the town— virtue and industry. 
Very truly yours, 

D. A. WHEDON. 



24 West St., Boston, 18th Sept., 1880. 
Messrs. LeBaron B. Colt, W. J. Miller, Edward S. Babbitt : 

Dear Sirs : — I regret that engagements beyond my control will prevent 
my acceptance of your very kind invitation to be present at the celebra- 
tion of the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of Bristol, and to 
show my sympathy in an event so deeply felt by your community. 

Hoping that the recollection and example of the good old times will not 
fade from the memories of the descendants of the fathers of New England, 
I remain, gentlemen. 

Your obedient servant, 

WM. W. GREENOUGH. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 167 

Boston, 14 September, 1880. 
My Dear Sir : — I have delayed answering your note, hoping I might be 
able to attend your most interesting anniversary. But I find the severe 
illness in my family renders this impossible, and I am very reluctantly 
obliged to decline the part you honor me with. 

Let me remind you that Mr. Heushaw B. Walley, of this city, (45 Kilby 
street, and Chestnut street), is the representative of the family, and will, in 
all probability, be able to attend. 

Cordially yours. 

WENDELL PHILLIPS. 
Mr. E. S. Babbitt. 



Tamworth Iron Works, N. H., Sept. 21, 1880. 
E. S. Babbitt, Esq., Committee: 

Dear Sir:— Your letter of 15th inst., enclosing invitation, was forwarded 
to me at this place. 

I thank you most cordially for both, and regret exceedingly that ill 
health must prevent me from being with you on Friday next. 

I have delayed answering your letter till I conld hear from my brother, 
W. P. Walley, as I greatly hoped that he might be able to represent the 
family, but he writes me that he will be unable to go. 

I have written my cousin, Wendell Phillips, requesting him to convey 
the invitation to Mr. J. C. Phillips. If he cannot be present, I don't know 
of any descendant who will be able to dedicate the Walley tree, which I 
deeply regret. I hope, however, the tree will bear the name of Walley, and 
that it may live and flourish for centuries, and I shall take great pleasure 
in visiting your town as soon as possible, and becoming acquainted with 
the place where my ancestor lived. I have long desired to do so. 

There is an oil painting of General Walley taken when he was quite 
young, in the possession of a relative in California. I have a large photo- 
graph of this picture, which I shall be happy to loan you for your exhibi- 
tion. 

Very truly yours, 

HENSHAW B. WALLEY. 



Letters acknowledging receipt of invitation, and expressing regret at 
inability to be present, were received from Judges Potter, Burges and 
Knowles; Hon. W. B. Lawrence, Bishop Ilendricken; Wm. H.Nelson, 
Esq., Chairman Board of Selectmen, Plymouth, Mass. ; F. Walley Perkins, 
a descendant of John Walley; Profs. Bancroft, Appleton, Davis, Packard 
and Blake, of Brown University, and others. 



168 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

First Light Infantry Veteran Association. 

Providence, R. I., Sept. 8th, 1880. 
Col. L. B. B. Colt, Chairman : 

Dear Sir : — At a meeting of the First Light Infantry Veteran Associa- 
tion held last evening, it was unanimously voted to visit Bristol, September 
24th inst., and participate in the celebration of the two hundredth anni- 
versary of the settlement of the town, and the Association would be 
pleased to accept such position in the column as may be assigned them by 
your Committee. 

The Veterans have received and accepted an invitation from Col. A. C. 
Eddy, to make his house their headquarters during their stay in Bristol. 
Respectfully, 

CHAS. C. ARMSTRONG, Clerk. 

The following is the Roster of the F. L. I. V. Association, as furnished 
by Col. Staples. In the procession they were preceded by their own band 
in the costume of the year 1800 -B. P. Robinson, leader; also by the 
National Band, of Providence, R. I , W. E. White, leader. 

roster of f. l. i. v. a. 

Colonel— Major-General William W. Brown. 

Lt.-Colonel — Colonel Henry Staples. 

Major — Major-General A. E. Burnside. 

Adjutant— Captain D. S. Remington. 

Clerk— Lieutenant C. C. Armstrong. 

Treasurer— Col. Henry Staples. 

Quartermaster— Captain J. T. Pitman, 

Commissary— Lieutenant H. J. Steere. 

Paymaster— Captain Samuel H. Thomas. 

Surgeon— F. L. Wheaton, M. D. 

Chaplain -Rt. Rev. T. M. Clark, D. D. 

In two Companies of about one hundred men, as follows : 

first company. 
Captain— Colonel A. C. Eddy. 
First Lieutenant— Colonel A. Crawford Greene. 
Second Lieutenant— Lieutenant W. E. Barrett. 

second company. 
Captain— Major I. M. Potter. 
First Lieutenant— Lieutenant H C. Bradford. 
Second Lieutenant — Lieutenant D. B. Anthony. 



SONS AI^D DAUGHTERS. 



The following is a list of the Sons and Daughters of Bristol, to whom 
invitations were sent. Those marked with an asterisk were present at 
the celebration : — 



A. W. Ai'Cher, Rlclimond, Va, 
Hon. G. W. Allen, Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Samuel J. All.vn, Taunton, Mass. 
*Mr9. J. A. Angcll, Proviileiice, R. I. 

" Kate L. Anthony, Foidliam, X. Y. 
Miss A. Fannj' Alden, Marietta, Ga. 
*Mrs. F. E Abbott, Worcester, Mass. 
Mark A. D'W. Allen, Elizabeth, N. J. 
Charles H. Alger, Chelsea, Mass. 
♦George J. Adams. Providence, II. I. 
George Ackermaii, New Rochelle, N. Y. 
Frank AcUerman, " " " 

*Mrs. Lloj'd Aspinwall, New York. 
Dr. Charles H. Alden, Hingham, Mass. 
Mrs. Charles M. Adauis, Ashland, Mass. 
" Helen Arnold, Grand Rapids, Mich. 
*Mrs. Sarah Allen, Fall River, Mass. 
Mrs. Kate M. Allen, Flushing, L.I. 
Samuel N. Allen, Newark Valley, N. Y. 
Mrs. B. T. Allen, Worcester, Mass. 
*Charles Allen, Pawtucket, R. I. 
Miss Julia Allyn, Taunton, Mas.s. 
Miss Sarah Albro, Fall River, Mass. 
*Miss Jennie Allen, Stonington, Conn. 

* " Minnie Allen, " " 
Mrs. Perry Asken, IJaylis, Pike Co., 111. 

* " Smith Albertson, Providence, li. I. 

* " Bridget Andem, " " 
Isaac.!. Austin, Jr., " " 
*Mr3. Samuel Allen, Wairen, R. I. 
James Allen, Berkshire, N. Y. 

Mrs. Jame>< Allen, " " 

Charles E. Albro, Fall River, Mass. 
Henry L. Arnold, Colorado. 
*Mrs. Mary A. Andrews, Warren, R. I. 

* " Enoch Adams, Pawtucket, R. I. 
William Anthony, Fall River, Mass. 
*Mrs. Irene E. Alexander, Prov., R. I. 

22 



*Earl P. Bo wen, Fall River, Mass. 
Wni. J. Bowen, New Bedford, " 
Mrs. Frink Blood, East Prov., R. I. 
*Miss Anne E. Baker, Providence, R. I. 
31rs. Elliot W. Brainard, S. Glastonbury, 

Conn. 
Loring Brown, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
*Martha Bowen. Barrington, R. I. 
*Percy Brown, Providence, R. I. 
Mrs. Susan A. Barlow, Fall River, Mass. 

" William Bennett, Warren, R. I. 
*Mrs. Susan E. Bailey, Fall River, Mass. 
*Miss Anne T. Baars, Grand Rapids, Mh. 
J. Fred. Baars, " " " 

Mrs. .Jane Bassit, Peoria, 111. 
*Sainuel B. Bullock, Providence, R. I. 

Daniel Bradford, Courtland, N. Y. 

Gershom Bradford, " " 

Miss Eliza Babeock, Providence, R. I. 

Increase Bosworth, Elgin, 111. 

Henry Bryant, OlneyviUe, R. I. 

*Mrs. Hattie Bliss, New Bedford, Mass. 
Sydney Barker, Warren, R. I. 
*Charles F. Barker, " 
Clarence B. Barker, Orange, Mass. 
*George B. Barker, Warren, R. I. 
*Francis P. Barker, " " 

Ellen B. Barker, 

*Anne T. Barker, • " 

Itia A. Barker, " " 

Mrs. Abby Barker, " " 

Uichard Blake, Baylis, 111. 

William Blake, " " 

Mrs. Surah Bullock, Brockton, Mass. 

Henry T.Bullock, 

William H. Bullock, •' " 

*Mrs. Anne Burt, Taunton, Mass. 

*Mrs. J. H. Blanchard, Boston, Mass. 



170 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



*Mr8. Marj' T. Bnnt, Warren, R. I. 

Mrs. Mary R. DulterfluUI, Bakersfield, 
Cal. 

♦Jonathan Bosworth, Little Neck, L. I. 

Nelson Bosworth, " " " 

Wra. G. Bradford, Sylvania, Pa. 

Mrs. Harriet Bliss, Springfield, Pa. 

♦Horatio H. Bedell, Providence, R. I. 

♦Harriet P. Bedel], " •' 

♦William H. Bedell, 

Wm. J. Blake, Boyton, 111. 

Richard A.Bagg, West Springfield, Mass. 

♦J. Crawford Brown, South Boston, " 

Charles A. Bourne, Chicago, 111. 

♦Mrs. Henr3'G. Ballou, Woonsocket, R.I. 

Lemuel A. Bishop, Attleboro', Mass. 

♦Mrs. L. A. Bishop, " " 

Durfec T. Bradford, Grand Rapids, Mich. 

Mrs. Durfee T. Bradford, " " " 

♦L. C. Bunn, East Providence, R. I. 

Leonard J. Bradford, Grand Rapids, Mh. 

Robert N. Bradford, " 

Charles H. Lirudford, •' 

Clarence Bradford, " '■ " 

♦Mrs. W. K. Bonrne, Detroit, Mich. 

Kate DeW. Budd, New York. 

Daniel Bradford, 'id., Sylvania, Pa. 

♦James M. C. Barker, Warren, R. I. 

Mrs. Gustavus Burbanks, Chicago, 111. 

Frank N. Bush. Ithica. N. Y. 

Charles Blake, Providence, R. I. 
♦Mary J. Babcock, Richmond, R. I. 
Mrs. Tulley D. Bowen, Providence, R. I. 
Wm. C. Breed, Worcester, Mass. 
♦Charles Barker, Warren, R. I. 
Alfred G. Barker, Philadelphia, Pa. 
♦Mrs. S. P. Burdick, " " 

Mrs. Mary E. Barker, Newport, R. I. 
Mrs. Frances P. Barker, " " 

George T. Bourne, Paris, France. 
♦Nathaniel Bosworth, Norwood, R. I. 
Mrs. Susan P. Bell, Liberty, Va. 
♦James W. Briggs, Boston, Mass. 
Mrs. John R. Babcock, Providence, R. I. 
♦Rev. Edward Brown, Troy, I'a. 
♦Ambrose Be Lois. Quiney Point, Mass. 
Sylvanus S. Bowen, Nati(!k, Mass. 
♦John H. Barney, Providence, R. I. 
Charles E. Barney, New Bedford. Mass. 
James Barney, Virginia. 
♦Miss Sarah T. Bircne, Providence, II. I. 
Frank P. Barney, Attleboro', Mass. 
Benj. M. Bosworth, Warren, II. I. 
♦Susan F. Boyd, Portsmouth, R. I. 
♦Minnie E. Boyd, " " 

♦Julia E. Boyd, " " 



Mrs. Mary B. Barker, Grand Uapids, Mh. 
Mrs. Georgianna Baxter, " " " 

♦George B. Brown, Warren, R.I. 
Wm. S. Brown, New Bedford, Mass. 

♦Cyrus Brown, Providence, R. I. 

♦Williim Breek, Providence, R. I. 
Charles Breck, " '• 

Mrs. Jemima Bradford, Providence. R. I- 

♦Wm. J. Bradford, " 

♦.Mrs. Wm. J. Barker, Warren, R. 1. 

♦James C. Blake. " " 

♦.Mrs. Fred. A. Burgess, " " 

Mrs. Geo. Blackman, Scio, N. Y. 

♦Mrs. C. F. Brown, Warren, R. I. 

♦.Mi'S. Lydia Bi amond, Brockton, Mass. 

♦Eben F. Bullock, Central Falls, R. 1. 

♦Wm. II. Bullock, 

♦Hattie L. Bullock, " " '• 

George Barrett, Brookline, Mass. 

Theo. Barrett, Boston, Mass. 

Gerzelle Barrett, " " 

Mrs. Olive Barrett," " 

♦Mrs. Joseph R. Burgess, Prov., U. I. 

♦Robert B. Buchanan, ■' " 

♦Jlargaret C. Bnchanan, " ' 

Mrs Frank Bagnell, Stockton, Cal. 

Wm. Bradford, Jr., New York, 

♦Nelson Bosworth, Glen Cove, L. I. 

♦Miss rienrietta Bofine, S, Boston, Mass. 

Charles S. Beane, Lansingburgh, N. Y. 
♦Sullivan Ballou, Woonsocket, R. I. 
Mrs Ann E. Bacon, Providence, R. I. 
♦Wm. B. Bosworth, Glen Cove, L. I. 
♦James Bosworth, *' " " 

♦Miss Anne Bosworth, Great Neck. L. I. 
♦Wm, J. Bosworth, Little Neck. L. I. 
♦Royal Bosworth, Fall River, Mass. 
Mrs. Isaac Braley, " " '• 

Isaac L. Braley, " " '■ 

Samuel G, Braley, Swansea, Mass. 
Miss Ida M. Braley, Fall River. Mass. 
♦Hez. M. Bunn. East Providence, R. I. 
Selic Burr, Denver City, Col. 
♦Miss Mary L, Booth, Providence, R. I. 
Wm. J. Booth, Providenc, R. I. 
Charles E. Barrus, Westport, New Zea- 
land. 
Jerome Barrus, Warri'ii, R. I. 
♦Daniel A. Barrus, " " 
Arthur A. Bosworth, " " 
♦Arthur M. Burr, Melrose, Mass. 
♦Mrs. Thorn. Burlingham, Newport, R. I. 
♦Frank A. Barnard, Lynn, Mass. 
♦Mrs. F. A. Barnard, " " 
♦Mrs, Mary A. Barnard. " " 
Mrs. Jos. ButHiigton, Providence, R. I. 



BI-CEKTENNIAL OF BRISTOL 



171 



♦Harriet Battey. Providenco, K. I. 
*Josopliine I). Bowler, Stougliton, Mass. 
Peleg Brown, Providence, U. I. 
Mrs. Saml. Briggs, Independence. N. Y. 
*Mi-s. John Brown, New Bedford, Mass. 
Mrs. C. T. Brown, Warren, U. I. 
Susan A. Barlow, Fall River, Mass. 
Jonathan Browning, " ■' " 

Miss (jienevieve Brown, Warren. R. I. 
*Rev. Benj. B. Babbitt, Columbia, S. C. 
Miss Rebecca Bosworth, Little Neck, L.I. 
Hunt Bhike, New York. 
*Geo. T. Bowler, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
James E. Baker, Providence, R. I. 
*Mrs. Charlotte Barney, Warren, R. I. 
*Rev. Shearjashub Bourne, Patti'rson, 

N. J. 
Mrs. Marj' E. Brownell, Newport, R. I. 
Benjamin Bourn, Providence, R. I. 
M. Toscan Bennett. Hoboken, N. Y. 
Geo. F. Barnard, Lynn, Mass. 
Win. H. Bennett, Topeka, Kansas. 
*Benj. P. Bennett, Newport. R. I. 
Henry Bishop, North Andover, Mass. 
♦Nathan Bishop, Lawrence. " 

Russel Bishop, " " 

*Mis. Sarah A. Burt, EastTaunlon, Mass. 
Mrs. Samuel W. Brown, Fall River, " 
Samuel E. Bunn, Otter River, " 

*Nath'l F. Bunn, Warren, R. I. 
*Lina Bush, Providence, R. I. 

*George A. Bush, " " 

*Mrs. Geo. A. Bush, " " 

*Miss Julia A. Bush, " " 

*Miss Minnie H. Bush, " " 

Charles Burgess, Warren, R. I. 
Miss Hattie Burgess, " '• 

Erwin J. Baker, Jr , Providence, R. I. 
*Mrs. Erwin J. Baker, Jr., " '■ 

Mrs. Laura Buffington, Pawtucket, " 
*Georgo Babcock, Barrington, •' 

Wm. H. Baker, Crompton, " 

Mrs. Susan M. Baxter, Providence, '• 
Mrs. Anne R. Burrows, '• " 

Samuel Butts, " " 

Mrs. Samuel Butts. " " 



♦Henry B. Card, Sylvania, Pa. 
Mrs. Charlotte Corbett, Jerseyville, 111. 
Mrs. Capt. Henry T. Cobb, Dighton, Ms. 
Stej'heu W. Church, Chicago, 111. 
♦Le Baron B. Church. Taunton, Mass. 
♦Hezekiah W. Church, " " 

♦Mrs. Wm. B. Church, " " 

♦Mrs. Hannah W. Chase, Fall River, Ms. 
•Wm. B. Church, Taunton, Mass. 



♦John H. Church, Taunton, Mass. 
Sylvester M. Copeland, Fall River, Mass. 
♦Mrs. Dr. Augustus Clarke, Cambridge- 
port, Mass. 
Mrs. Eliza Covell, New Bedford, Mass. 
Mrs. B. M. Clcaveland, Marietta, Ga. 
♦Stephen B. Chafee, Middletown, Conn. 
Wm. A. Church, Warren, R. I. 
♦Miss Emily Church, " " 

♦Mrs. Henry Cliureh, Annawan, 111. 
♦Mrs. Anne L. C. Chase, Nt^wport, R. I. 
♦George Chubbucks, Valley Falls, " 
♦Mrs. Ruby Cole, Warren, " 

♦Rowland T. Chase, Portsmouth, " 
♦Jolm Cane, Newport, •' 

♦liUlu Cox, Providence, >< 

♦Anne Capwell, Providence, " 

♦Charles IM. Chase, Portsmouth, " 
♦Marion W. Clarke, New Bedford, Mass. 
♦James T. Card, Providence, R. I. 
♦Stephen Chafee, Jr., Middletown, Conn. 
♦George A. Chafee, " " 

♦Mrs. George A. Chafee, " " 

♦Samuel R. Chafee, " " 

♦Mrs. Samuel R. Chafee, " " 

♦V\'m. Clarke Chafee, " •' 

♦Mrs. N. B. Cooke, Pawtucket, U. I. 
Mrs. Amos B. Corwin, New Rochelle, 

N. Y. 
♦Mrs. Henry T. Col well, Cambridge- 
port, Mass. 
Freeborn C. Coggeshall, Philadelphia, 

Pa. 
♦Mrs. Wm. B. Cheney, Fall River, Mass. 
♦Luther Cole, Warren, R. L 

♦Nathan P. Cole, " " 

♦Mrs. Nathan P. Cole, " " 

♦John G. Cole, " " 

♦Mrs John G. Cole, " " 

George C. Cooiner, " " 

Mrs. Charlotte Coomer, " " 

Henry R. Coggeshall, Boston. Mass. 
♦Edward L. Chase, Portsmouth, R.I. 
♦James E. Conley, Warren, " 

♦Miss Hannah M. Cooke, Prov., " 
♦Thomas D. Chafee, Taunton, Mass. 
♦Mrs. Anna C. Chafee, " " 

♦JIi's. Kate L. Chase, Fall River, Mass. 
♦Mrs. Sarah M. Cole, Warren, R. I. 
Geo. M. Coit, North Sterling, Conn. 
♦Mrs. Alice Curtis, Warren, R. I. 
Mrs. Henry F. Cobb, Dighton, Mass. 
Mrs. Josiah Caldwell, England. 
♦Mrs. J. T. Cooper, Brooklyn, New 

Vork. 
♦Mrs, Eliza Coit, Providence, R. L 

♦John Coggeslmll, " " 

♦Mrs. John Coggeshall, " " 



172 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



Dyer C. Coomer, Waircn, R. I. 

Lewis Carr, " " 

Thomas Coomer, •' " 

George T. C. Church, " " 

*Shubael n. Cole, " " 

♦Charles Cole, " " 

*Mrs. Elizabeth Cole, " " 

Mrs. Alfred B. Cornell, " " 

*Wm. Henry Church, '• " 

Mrs. Chas. C. Clarke, Scio, N. Y. 
*Mrs. Alice Calvoort, New London, Ct. 
Mrs. MarthaCopeland, Brockton, Mass. 
*Mrs. Mary L. Collins, Providence, R. I. 
♦Joseph Carnes, " " 

Mrs. Virginia Chester, SpringfleUL III. 
Mrs. Catharine Chester, " " 

Mrs. Charlotte Corbett, Jersey ville, " 
John Corbett, " " 

♦Henry Corbett, Tecumseh, Neb. 
♦Mrs. Laura A. Chase, Erie, Pa. 
Mrs. Betsey Chase, " " 

Mrs. Mary A. Condor, South Boston, Ms. 
♦John Connerton, Lowell, Mass. 
John P. Cooke, Fall River, " 
Mrs. Eliza. Crowell, New Bedford, Mass. 
♦Mrs. Eliza B. Cole. Stoniiigton, Conn. 
♦Almira Curren, Valley Falls, K. I. 
♦Mrs. Anne G. Cole, Providence, R. I. 
Marlborough Churchill, New York. 
Ellen F. Cole, Warren, R. I. 

♦George D.Cole, " " 

♦Mrs Mary Chase, " " 

Frederick M. Chadwick, Prov., R. I. 
♦Mrs. Bridget Carter, " " 

♦James F. Christee, Boston, Mass. 
♦Dan Callahan, New Bedford, " ^ 
♦Mary J. Callahan," " " 

♦John G. Connerton, I..owell, Mass. 
♦John F. Costigan, I-awrence, " 
♦Mrs. Lizzie W. Coanery, Pawtueket, 

R. I. 
Frank L. Camm, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
♦Jose])h N. Collins, Warren, R. I. 
♦Mrs. Emily Corey, Portsmouth, R. I. 

" Maria Cooke, " '• 

Edwin Church, Quincy, Mich. 
Henry P. Church, Annawan, 111. 
♦Mrs. Wm. T. Chase, Auburn, R. I. 

♦ " Sarah Cunliflf, Providence, R. I. 

♦ " Mary A. Curtis, " " 
Miss Eliz. G. Coit.Batavia, N. Y. 

♦ " H. E. Coggeshall. Fall River, Mass. 
Wm. T. Coggeshall, Lowell. 

♦Mrs. Robinson Chace, Fall River, " 
" Almira Curiy, Providence, R. I. 
" Sarah J. Chase, '• " 

♦Miss Martha Cole, Warren, " 



♦Miss Anne E. Cole, Warren, R. I. 
Mrs. Martha Carr, Newport, " 
" Charles S. Cross, Providence, R. I. 

♦ " Joseph Cole, Woonsocket, " 
♦Thomas Cole, Warren, " 
♦George Coggeshall, " " 
♦Wm. N. Coggeshall, " " 
♦Mrs. Benj. Clarke, New Bedford, Mass. 
Edward P. Clarke, Providence, R. I. 
♦Marion W. Clarke, New Bedford, Mass. 
George L. Chase, New Mexico. 
Samuel Cables, Jamaica Plains, Mass. 
♦Mrs. Nathaniel Chadwick, Hornelsville, 

N. Y. 
Mrs. J. C. Calvert, New London, Conn. 
" Laura Cooly, Providence, R. I. 

♦ " Georgiana Chubbuck, Valley Falls, 
R. I. 



Henry W. Diman, Lisbon, Portugal. 
♦James Darling, Fall River, Mass. 
Mrs. Alexander Dyer, Plainsbery, Cal. 

♦ " Sanil. W. Drown, Drownsville, R. I. 

♦ '' Joshua C. Drown, Warren, " 
♦John W. Diman, Fall River. IMass. 
Wm. F. DeWolf, Chicago, 111. 
Charles H. Dunbar, Newport, R. I. 
♦Byron D. DeWolf, New York. 

Mrs. Mary T. Dean, Galveston, Texas. 

Wm. B. DeWolf, New York. 

♦Wm. H. Doty, Providence, R. I. 

♦Dr.John J. DeWolf, 

♦J. Halsey DeWolf, 

♦Prof. J. Lewis Diman, " " 

Dr. James A. DeWolf, Port of Spain, 

Trinidad. 
♦Mary M. Donahue, Warren, R. I. 
♦Nellie F. Donahue, " 

Wm. Donahue, " " 

*Johanna Donahue, " " 
*Robert Dunbar, Providence, " 
*Mrs. Mary Day, " " 

♦Henry B. Dearth, Waterbury, Conn. 
Charles Dearth, " " 

Mrs. Elizabeth Drown, Warren, R. I. 
Mrs. Emily Devol, East Providence, R. L 
Miss Ellen Devol, " " •' 

Charles Devol, " " " 

*Miss Ella F. Dorman, New London, Ct. 
Francis M. Dimond, Providence, R. I. 
John N.Dimond, " " 

Wm. F. Dimond, '' " 

*Miss Bridget Dougherty, WaiTen, It. I. 

♦ *' Sarah Abby Davis, East Smith- 
fleld. Pa. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



173 



Misa Eliz. B.Dcartli, Watcibnry, Conn. 
Airs Thad. Davis, Ilochelli;, N. Y. 
Charles C. Dimond, Boston, Mass. 
*Miss Mary Douglass, Newport, U. I. 
* " Mattie Douglass, " '• 

*Mrs. Lyman D. Deane, Fall River, Mass. 
Frank L. Diiiian, Providence, R. I. 
Jonathan Drown, Killingly, Ct. 
*Chas. W. Dunbar, Providence, R. I. 
•Mrs. Clias W. Dunbar, " '• 

Thomas Durfce, Uockville, Conn. 
*Henry B. Diuian, Providence, K. I. 
*Mary T. Dougherty, East Prov., R. I. 
Wintbrop DeVVolf, Boston, Mass 
*John M. Doty, Nowpoi-t, R. I. 
*Peleg Dunbar, Wairen, R. J. 
*Mrs. Charlotte Davenport, Newport, 

R. I. 
*Mrs. Eunice Dyer, Portsmouth, R. I. 

" Wm, Dunham, New Bedford, Ms. 
Nellie Davis, Providence, R. I. 
*Mrs. Joshua C. Drown, Jr., Prov., R. I. 
♦Frank Dunbar, Newport, " 

*.Mrs. L. T. Dodi?e, Providence, " 

*Phebe M. Devol, Fall River, Mass. 
*Susan R. Dennis, Pawtucket, R. I. 
*Alfred Devol, Warwick, " 

*Iniogene Dunbar, Providence," 
*William Dyer, Warren, " 

*Mrs. Ann Drown, " " 



Geo. R. Easterbrooks, East Prov., R. I. 
Clara Easterbrooks, Warren, " 

T. R. Easterbrooks, Providence, " 
*Abby M. Ellis, 

Sarah S. Easterbrooks, " " 

Giles Easterbrooks, Warren, " 

Mrs. J. A. P. Eppinger, Georgia. 
S. B. Eldridge, New Bedford, Mass. 
*Benj. T. Easterbrooks, Newport, R. I. 
Maraes A. Easterbrooks, '• " 

Capt. Geo. T. Easterbrooks, Oysterville, 

Wash. Ter. 
Dr. George T. Easterbrooks, Oysterville, 

Wash. Ter. 
Mrs. George T. Easterbrooks, Oyster- 

terville. Wash. Ter. 
*Allen Easterbrooks, Providence, R. I. 
*Mr8. Allen Easterbrooks, " " 

*Jajnes H. Easterbrooks, " " 

*Alfred Evans, " 

Theodore R. Easterbrooks, '• " 

*Wm. H. Easterbrooks, " " 

♦Stephen G. Easterbrooks, " " 

Mrs. John C. Ellis, Newport, R. I. 



Frank A. Easterbrooks, Boston, Mass. 

*Mrs. Hannah Ellis, Providence, R. I, 

Charles A. Edwards, •' " 

*Wm. Easterbrooks, " " 

*Mrs. Myra Eaton, Pawtucket, R. I. 
" Thomas H. Eddy, Fall Kiver. Ms. 

♦Jloses P. Eastei brooks, Cambridge- 
port, Mass. 

Simeon A. Easterbrooks, Eagleville, Ct. 

Daniel Easterbrooks, Fall River, Mass. 

*Abby M. Ellis, Providence, R. I. 

Mrs. Julia A. Eddy, '• 

*Wm. Y. Easterbrooks, Warren, R. I. 

Mrs. Wm. Y. Easterbrooks, " " 



*Edward A. Fish, Wellsborough, Pa. 
Francis R. Fish, Troy, Pa. 
*JIrs. Ilattie A. Fish, Millford, Mass. 
*Mary A. Fish, Fall River, 
Adelbert Frisbrie, Grafton, Cal. 
Mrs. Adelbert Frisbrie, " •' 
Miss .Martha Foster, Newburg, N. Y. 
Mrs. John N. Furnham, West Chester, 

N. Y. 
*Smitb B. Fales, Warren, R. I. 
♦Horace R. Fenner, Harmony, R. I. 
Charles H. Fenner, Southbury, Conn. 
*James H. Furgeson, Mlllbury, Conn. 
Peter Furgeson, " '• 

*John L. D. Furgeson, " " 

Wm. C.F. Furgeson, " " 

*Mrs. Mary S. Fletcher, New Bedford. 

Mass. 
Mi's. Nellie Fox, Southbridge, Mass. 
*Mrs. E. J. Fairbanks, New Britain, Ct. 
Samuel Fales, Philadelphia, Pa. 
♦Jeremiah Fenner, Lisle, N. Y. 
Mrs. Eliz. F. Freeman, Wakefield, R. I. 
Moseph H. Fish, Providence, " 

*Mrs. Julia Frances, " " 

Mrs. George Frapiie, New York. 
Mrs. Addie J. Ferril, Boston, Mass. 
♦Lewis B. Fish, Brockton, Mass. 
Mrs. George F. Foster, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
♦Miss Ruth A. Fish, Providence, R. I. 
Mrs. Ellen F. Field, Danville, Conn. 
Chas. C. Fisher, San Francisco, Cal. 
Mrs. Alice G. Fisher, Oakland, Cal. 
Lucian Fitts, Providence, R. I. 
♦Mrs. Mary M. Freelove, Fall Uiver, Ms. 
Martha B. Fenner, Providence, R. I. 
♦.Mrs. Mary E. Fletcher, New Bedford, 

Mass. 
Wm. C. Fales, Providence, R.I. 
♦Mrs. Wm. H. Fenner, " " 



174 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



*ratieiice I.. Fish. Warren, R. J. 
Henry F. Fish, Milton Centre, Mass. 
Win. A. Fish, Philadelphia, Pa. 
*Isaac L. Fish, Portsmouth, R.I. 
Lewis Felix, Boston, Mass. 
Jainps Franklin, Portsmouth, R. I. 
Emily E. Fairbrother, Providence, U. I. 
*J. M. Fales, Warren, R. I. 
*Mi8S Hattie L. Fisk, Millford, Mass. 
*Susan C. Fish, Portsmouth, R. I. 



Emily F.Greene, Warren. " 
**.Stephen D. Grej', Providence, R I. 
*Wm. H. (Jetty, Warren, " 

*Mrs. Sophia F Greene, Leominster, Ms. 
*George E. N. Gladding, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
*Mrs. Maria (irccne, Warren, R. I. 
Allen J. Gladding, Oakland, Cal. 
*Sarah DeW. Gardiner, New York. 
Amos T. Gorham, Cincinnati, O. 
♦Charles A. Gladding, Baltimore, Md. 
*Mrs. Abby M. Gooding, S. Vineland, 

N.J. 
Mrs. S. Dana Greene, Annapolis, Md. 
*Sasan Gifford, Fall River, Mass. 
*lrenus Gooding, Maiden, " 
Miss Gertrude Gooding, " " 
Mrs. 1). C. Grheme, New York. • 
*George P. Gifford, " •' 
*Mrs. Abby A. Greenman, Newport, R. I. 
Thomas S. Gladding, Leavenworth, Kan. 
John W. Gladding, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Mrs. Etta N. Gifford, Fernandina, Fa 
*Albert C. Greene, Newport, R I. 
Henry C. Gifford, " " 

*Henry W. Gladding, Warren, R. I. 
*Mr3. Henry W. Gladding, " 
*George T. Greene, " " 

*Mrs. George T. Greene, •• '• 
*Jeremiah I. Greene, Warren, R. I. 
*Mrs. Dr. J. B Greene, Providence, R. I. 
•J. B Greene, Jr., '• " 

•Joseph W.H.Gayton, " " 

*Gustavus T. Grey, " " 

^Stephen D. Grey, " 

*Goorge E. Grey, •' " 

Charles Grey, " " 

EUery W. Gi-eene, Manitou Springs, CoL 
*Mrs. John C.Greene, Leominster, iRiass. 
»Mary G. Gardiner, Attleboro', 
Mrs. E. S. Gove, Monmouth, Me. 
*Mrs. Geo. H. Glidden, Springfield, Mass. 
*.\Iabel D. Goff, Warren, R. I. 
*Miss Martha J. Goff, Pawtucket, R. L 
*= " Mary I. Goff, Warren, " 



Miss Nancy Goff, Springfield, Mass. 

•' Susan Goff, Pawtucket, R. L 
*" Elizabeth Goff, Warren, " 
Dr. Grafton W. Gardiner, Atlanta, Ga. 
*John A. Godloff, Boston, Mass. 
Mrs. Abby W. Gutman, Lewiston, Me. 
Charles B. Gladding, Franklin, Mass. 
Mrs. Mary Grant, Warren, R. I. 
*Benj. M.Greene, Providence, R. I. 
*Mrs. Benj. M.Greene, " " 

♦Beiij. M. Greene, Jr., " " 

John Gladding, East Smithfleld, Pa. 
Stephen Gladding, " " " 

*Thoma8 C. Grant, Rehoboth, Mass. 
*Mrs. Thomas C. Grant, " " 

*MissRosaW. Grant, 
*IIenry P. Grant, " " 

*Mrs. Eliz. McGoval, Providence, R. 1. 
John H. Gifford, Boston, Mass. 
ISIrs. Ann II. Grey, New Bedford, Mass. 
Rev. John Grey, Denver City, Col. 
Mrs. Ann Gifford, Providence, R. I. 
*Miss Rebecca Gorham, Wakc-fleld, R. I. 
*Miss Nettie Gorham, " " 

James Goff, Jr., Locust Yallej', L. I. 
Mrs. Emma Goddard, Wallingford, Ct. 
♦John A. Godloff, Boston, Mass. 
Mary H. Gifford, Newport, R. I. 
Frederick Gladding, Providence, R. I. 
Mrs. Wm. B. Gordon. Burlington, Iowa. 
*Charles W. Greene, Warren, R. I. 
Emma B. Goddard, Wauhegan, Conn. 
Joseph W. Greene, Manitou Springs, Col. 
Mrs. Joseph W. Greene, " " " 

J. F. Gooding, Lowell, Mass. 
*Joseph L. Gardiner, Calumet, Mich. 
*Charles T. Gladding, Providence, B. I. 
*Mrs. David W. Graffum, " " 

*Liiian A. Grey, " " 

Mrs. Sarah M. Gladding, " " 

Walter N. Gifford, '• " 

*Job Grey, Somerset, Mass. 
*Wm. O. Gladding, Newport, R. I. 
♦Stephen Grego, Providence, " 
*Frank 1. Gladding, Warren, R. I. 
♦Levvfis Gladding, " '• 

*Mrs. A. M. Grunard, Fall River, Mass. 
*Mis8 Henrietta Gladding, Warren, R. I. 
*James U. Gladding, New Bedford, Ms. 
♦Joseph A. Gladding, Woonsocket, R. L 
*Mrs. Stephen Grego, Providence, " 
*George T. Greene, Jr., Warren, " 

*Mrs. Andrew Gale, Providence, " 



*Thomas Henderson, Providence, B. I. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



175 



♦Thomas O. Ilnlmos, Providence, U. I. 
*P!ilienceC. Ililbnrn. " " 

*Mary A. Hixon, Woonsock(;t, " 

*Sariih M. Iliuidoen, Woodstock, Coim. 
«Mary B. II ale-, Swansea, Mass. 
»Joha \V. Hart, Taunton, " 
♦John n. [latch. Providence, R. I. 
•Caroline R. Hyde, " " 

»Eliza M. Hubbard, " " 

Minor Hedges, Lamont. Mich. 
Mrs. Henry Hall, Bloomfleld, Cal. 
*Mrs. Martlia T. Hathaway, New Bed- 
ford, Mass. 
John B. P. Herreshoff, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
James B. HerresIiolT, Nice, France. 
*John G. Harding, New Bedford, Mass. 
♦James H. Harding, " " " 

Mi-s. James H. Harding, " " " 

Wm. N. Hall, New Bedford, Mass. 

Mrs. Hannah Hall, " " 

*Nathan S. Hoard, Taunton, Mass. 

♦Gyrus Hoard, " " 

»Mi:s. C. M. Hoard, 

Mrs. Lydia T. Houghton, Boston, Mass. 
Rosalie DeW. Hopper, New York. 

Silas Holmes, Diamond Hill, R. I. 

Jabez S. Holmes, Boston, Mass. 

♦Miss Rutli G. Hall, Warren, R. I. 

♦Rt. Rev. M. A. DeW. Howe, Reading, Pa. 

H. B. Hubbard, New Haven, Conn. 

♦Patrick Hurney, Jamesville, Wis. 

♦Nathan B. Heath, Charlestowa, Mass. 

Arnold B. Heath, Boston, '• 

Alanson Heath, Rockville, Conn. 

Mrs. Edwin M. Hill, Haverhill, Mass. 

Mi-s. Dr. Wm. H. Uutton, Detroit, Mich. 

♦Mrs. Jemima Hathaway, Fall River, Ms. 

N. E. ETarvey, East Providence, R. I. 

George C. Hatch, Warren, It. I. 

Mrs. George C. Hatch, " " 

Mrs. E. N. Hartl y. Fall River, Mass. 

Mrs. Caroline Hedges, Lamont, Mich. 

Mrs. Jane Ilewlitt, Haverhill, Mass. 

♦John W. Hoard, Providence, R. I. 

♦Mrs. Benj. Hall, Warren, 

♦Luther Handy, " " 

•Mrs. Clara P. Humphreys, Cedar Grove, 
R. L 

iMrs. Henry Hall, Bloomfleld, Cal. 

Wm. P. Hall, 

•Mrs. Wm. B. Hubbard, Providence, R. 1. 

♦Isaac R. Hadwin. Somerville, Mas^. 

Mrs. Loui.sa S. Hodges, West Maryland, 
Conn. 

♦Mrs. Wm. II. Horton Providence, R. I. 

♦John F. Husso, Fall River, Mass. 

•John J. Holmes, Brockton, " 



*Mrs. Mary E. Hayes, Hagerstown. Md. 
Mrs. Eliz. Harvey, Thomaston, Me. 
♦(Jeorgo H. Harding, Providence, R. I. 
Freeman C. Hincks, Pawtuckct, " 
*Mvs. Julia Hixon, Millford, Mass. 
Charles W. Hurst, Boston, '• 
*Wm. R. Handy, Providence, R. I. 
Charles Handy, " " 

*JIrs. Joseph Handy, Barrington, R. I. 
♦Joseph Handy, " " 

♦Mrs. Emily Hoar, Warren, R. I. 
Mrs. Mary Henshaw, Providence, R. I. 
Edward Handy, Warren, " 

♦Manton E. Hoard, Pi'ovidence, " 
Mrs. Manton E. Hoard, " " 

♦Mark A. Heath, '« 

Rev. Leonard B. Hatch, Warren, " 
♦.Seth L. Horton, Providence, 
*Mrs. Ann B. Hamm, " " 

Mrs. Anne G. Holmes, '• " 

*Mrs. Dr. Hemple, Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Mrs. Octavia A. Hustis, Auburndalo, Ms. 
Mrs. Lewis T. Hoar, Warren, R. 1. 
Mrs. Wilfred B. Hodgkiii, Tunbridge, 

England. 
Winfield G. Hubbard, South Lyndeboro', 

Conn. 
*Mrs. Alice G. Hancock. Providence, 

R.I. 
Minerva H. Hopkins, Providence, R. I. 



Mrs. David Ingerson, Groton,Conn. 
♦Mrs. Eliz. Ingraham, Wellsville, N. Y. 
♦Miss Eliz. Ingraham, '• " 

♦Thomas U. Ingraham, " " 

Wm. H. Interman, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
♦Smith M. Ide, New Bedford, Mass. 
♦Mrs. John Ingraham, Swansey, " 
♦Alex. G. Ingraliam, Providence, R. I. 
♦John II. Ingraham, Baker City, Oregon, 
♦.Miss Lily R. Ide, Providence, R. I. 
♦Mrs. Anne R. Ide, " " 

♦Mrs. D. H. Ingerson, Meriden, Conn. 
Mrs. H. M. Ingerson, " " 



•Mrs. Ann E. J.ackson, Fall River. Mass. 
Charles W. Jones, N. La Crosse, Wis. 
Mrs. Zora E. Jameson, Frosburgh, Ver. 
Mrs. Henry B. Jackson, Boston, Mass. 
Thomas W.Joy, Bordentown. N. J. 
Jedidiah W. Johnson, San Francisco, 

Cal. 
Henry L. Jolmson, Uiica, N. Y. 



176 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



Henry A. J. Johnson, Baltimore, Mil. 
•Mrs. Julia Jennings, New Bedford, Ms, 
Mrs. Fanny M. Jones. Warren, R. I. 
Mrs. Nancy S. Johnson, Nar. Pier, R. I. 
Mrs. Wm. H. Jennings. Providence, R. I. 
Mrs. Henry B. Jackson, Roxbury, Mass. 
Mrs Capt. Sandford Jones, Pasadina, 

Cal. 
♦Mrs. Hannah Johnson, Staten Island, 

N. Y. 



Fi-e<lerick W. Kingman, Pascoag, N. Y. 
Mrs. Frederick \V. Kingman, " " 
Mrs. Dr. II. B. Kenyon, Towns Head, Ver. 
Miss Louisa Kingman, Pascoag, N. Y. 
Miss Florence C. Kella, River Side, Cal. 
♦William Kingsley, Providence, R. I. 
George Kingsliy, '• " 

Walter Kingsley, " " 

Sandford A. Kingsley, " " 

♦Mrs. Hiram B. Kelly, Aj'er, Mass. 
♦Mrs. J. Eliz. Keys, New York. 
♦Mrs. Debra Kelly, Providence, R. I. 
♦Jolin Keith, Vallej- Falls, 
♦Mrs. Ida Kent, Providence, U. I. 
*Chas. W. Kingman, '• " 



♦Mrs. Ann Loonies, Providence, R. I. 
Miss Ellen M. Luce, New Bedford, Mass. 
William Lincoln, Warren, R. I. 
Gustave G. Lansing, New York. 
♦Mrs. Abby C. Liscomb, Fall River, Ms. 
♦Miss Julia Lake, East Providence, R. 1. 
♦Miss Anne E. Leonard, •' " 

Henry Lowry, Fall River, Mass. 
♦Thomas Lowi-y, " " '« 

Mrs. Sarah A. Ling. Grand Rapids. Mich. 
♦Edward Lanigan, Warren, R. I. 
♦Welcome Lawtoii, Fair Haven, Mass. 
♦Mrs. Welcome Lawton, Fair Haven, Ms. 
Nathan Lawton, " •* " 

Lorenzo Ludewissey, Waldoboro', Me. 
♦Mrs. Edward Lewis, Boston, Mass. 
Marj' K. Livescy, Warren, R. I. 
Mrs.Edwiird Lancaster, Hartford, Conn. 
Edward Lancaster, " " 

Lorenzo Ludwig, Danville, Mich. 
♦Mrs. Abby liscomb. Fall River, Mass. 
Charles F. Liscomb, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 
Mrs. Lydia P. Luther, Lamont, Mich. 
♦Gilbert R. Lawless, N. Swansej', Mass. 
♦William Lindsey, Fall Kiver, 
♦Nathaniel Lindsey, " " " 



Abby F. Lucas, Hazelwood, N. Bedford. 

Mi-8. C. DeW. Lovett, Springfield, Mass. 

Mrs. John N. Lansing, New York. 

Mrs. E. F. Lucas, " " 

♦Jlrs. Abbj^ Leonard, Pi-ovidence, R. I. 

Mrs. E. P. Lette, Southburgh, Va. 

Mrs Capt. John Y. Lawless, Galveston, 

Texas. 
Wm. B. Lawless, Galveston, Texas. 
James A. Leet, Jr., Ipswich, Mass. 
Mrs. Ida Little, " " 

Miss Mary L. Leet, " " 

Wm. S. Luther, South Boston, Mass. 
♦Joseph S. Luther, " " " 

Benj. Luther, Lamont, Jlich. 
♦Miss Susan C. Lacy, Attleboro', Mass. 
John Lutlier, Lamont, Mich. 
Sylvester Luther, Grand Rapids, Mich. 
♦Nathan Lawton, Fair Haven, Mass. 
*Isaac F. Liscomb, Providence, R I. 
*Wm. Littlefleld, 

Benj. F. Lindsey, Attleboro', Mass. 
♦John Lindsej', FortNevarra, Nebraska. 
James Lewis, New Haven, Conn. 
John Luther, Grand Rapids, Mich. 

Mrs. Mary A. Luther. '• " " 

♦John Ludewissey, Wakefield, R. I. 
Charles H. Luther, New York. 
♦Manton H. Luther, Providence, R. I. 
♦Alfred E. Luther, " " 

♦Winfleld V. Luther, 
Mrs. E. A. Loomis, " " 

♦Capt. John I. Liscomb, Boston, Mass. 
Mrs. Lizzie Lyman, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Horace Lawton, New Bedford, Mass. 
Charles Lawton, *■ " " 



M 



George F. Manchester, Harpville, N. Y. 
G. W. Markham, Atchinson, Kansas. 
Peter Munro, Sylvania, Pa. 
Bateman Munro, New York. 
♦Lewis S. Munro, Boston, Mass. 
♦Mrs. Lewis S. Munix), " " 
Charles IL Mosher. Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Mrs. Jonas Minturn, Plainsburg, Cal. 
Thomas C. MintuTO, " " 

James W. Minturn, " •' 

Mrs Frank Molten, Boston, Mass. 
Thomas F. Mason, New York. 
♦David Eddy Munro, Portsmouth, R. I. 
Hezekiah U. Munro, West Philadelphia, 

Pa. 
Fiank A. Munro, Worcester, Mass. 
Nathaniel Maxfleld, Whiteside, 111. 
A. J. Maxfleld, Lyons, Iowa. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



177 



William H. Maxfielcl, Wliiteside, 111. 

Mrs. Wm. li. Morrison, " " 

*MiS3 Susan J. Miixfleld, " " 

Albert J. Maxflekl, Tampico. 111. 

Mrs. Dr. Luther A. Martin, 111. 

Willie B. Alartin, Atlantic City, 111. 

Miss Abby B. Martin, Roebuck Junc- 
tion, 111. 

Mrs. riiilip C.Macomber, Fall River, Ms. 

Wm. H. Munro, Yankton, Arkansas. 

♦Wm. H. Martin, Warren, R. I. 

Mrs. Wni. II. Martin, " 

Frank Manchester, Providence, R. I. 

Mrs. Frank Manchester, " " 

♦George H. Munro, " " 

♦George Munro, Warren, R. I. 

*James Munro, " " 

*Mrs. John Maxfleld, Warren, R. I. 

»R. Elliot McCartney, Providence, R. I. 

♦Mrs, R. Elliot McCartney, " *' 

Mrs. James H. Maxwell, Warren, R. I. 

Wyatt Manchester, Altleboro', Mass. 

Seabury Manchester, " " 

Heniy R.Manchester, " " 

Mrs. Eliza Marhle, " " 

John W. Mutton, Toronto, Can. West. 

Mrs. Edward Markham, Atchinson, Kan- 
sas. 

Rohert Manchester, Prov., It. I. 

*Eliz. E. Miller, S. Swansey, Mass. 

•Mary E. Martin, Warren, R. I. 

*Cha8. Mason, ." " 

J. Flaviel Manchester, Newport, R. I. 

Mrs. Julia E. Manchester, " " 

Wm. J. Munro, Boston, Mass. 

*Mrs. Wm. H. Macomber, Prov., R. I. 

•Miss Katy Malone, New Bedford, Mass. 

*Wm. H. Munro, Edgartown, Mass. 

♦Jonatlian Munro, " " 

Dr. George Munro, Mercer, Pa. 

Mrs. Stephen W. Morgan, Philadelphia, 
Pa. 

Mrs. Mai-y A. Munro, Pottsville, Pa. 

Mrs. Caroline Matthews, New Bedford, 
Mass. 

Mrs. LydiaD. Mason, Providence, R. I. 

*Mrs. Anne McDougal, Uebronville, Ms. 

*Benj. S. McDougal, " " 

Herbert Manchester, Locust Valley, L. 1. 

Jeremiah Munro, Boston, Mass. 

♦Miss Jennie W. Munro, Prov., R. I. 

*Wm.H. Munro, " " 

♦Hugh Mulligan, Providence, R. I. 

•Mary R. Morse, " " 

Mrs. Horace E. Medbury, Barrington, 
R. I. 

Thomas P. Myers, New York. 



Mrs. Ada B. Morton, Providence, R. I. 
Ringold Mott, Locust Valley, L. I. 
Miss J. Sophia Muenscher, Taunton, Ms. 
Miss Laura Martin, Providence, R. I. 
*.Miss Martha Martin, " " 

♦Miss Gertrude Martin, " " 

Wm. Martin, " " 

♦Mrs. Russell Middleton, Charleston, 

S. C. 
Miss Alicia Middleton, Charleston, S. C. 
•Mrs. James Madison, N'^wport, R. I. 
Mrs. Har. F. Morton, Louisville, Ky 
H. F. Marchant, Providence, R. I. 
•Mrs. Horace Miller, Pawtucket, R. I. 
♦Stephen C. Munro, Portsmouth, " 
•Mrs. Geo. W. Millard, Providence, R. I. 
♦Miss Abby D. Jtfunro, West Pleasant, 

S. C 
Samuel N. G. Munro, Providence, R. I. 
Mrs. Samuel N. G. Munro, " " 

Samuel N. G. Munro, Jr., '• " 

•Miss Amy Munro, " " 

•Nath'l H. Munro, 

•Charles Munro, '• " 

•George T. Munro, " " 

Fred. A. Manchester, " " 

Mrs. Fred. A. Manchester, " " 

Mrs. Jas. S. McO. Very, Portland, Me. 
•Eliz. Munro, Providence, R. I. 

•Wm. A. Munro, " " 

•Mrs. Wm. A. Munro, " " 

Bridget McDonald, Lawrence, Mass. 
•Mrs. itosa McKenna, Boston, " 
Joseph A. Monks, Norfolk, Va. 
•George A. Munro, Ogdensburg, N. Y. 
♦Frank A. Munro, " " 

•Mrs. Frank A. Munro, " " 

•Mrs. Walter P. Munro, Providence, R. I. 
Fred. H. Manchester, Warren, " 

•Daniel G. Manchester, Providence, " 
♦Mrs. Mary F.Milliken, 
Joseph H. Manchester, Pawtucket, " 
♦James C. Manchester, " " 

Mrs. Sarah Martin, Providence, " 

♦Mrs. Alice R. Munro, Portsmouth, " 
♦Martin McNeal, Warren, " 

John McSherry, " " 

♦Ellen Muldoon, Providence, " 

Mrs. Eleanor Manchester, Prov., " 
♦Mrs. Ambrose B. Mason, VV^arren, " 
♦Miss Eliz. Mason, " " 

♦3Iartha E. Mason, " " 

♦Ellen McSherry, East Providence, " 
♦Mary E. Murphy, Fall River, Mass. 
Chauncey E. Martin, Warren, R. I. 
Wm. Martin, Chester, Vt. 
Jas. Martin, Londonderry, Vt. 



178 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



Nath'l L. F. Munro, Decatur, 111. 
Jas. W. Munro, Providence, R. I. 
♦Dr. VVm. McCaw, Warren, " 
Mrs. Wni. McCaw, " " 

James McCaw, Leadville City, Col. 
Jas. Munro, Warrtn, R. I. 

Mrs. Betsey Mason, " " 

*Sarah H. Maxfield, " 
Alex. G. Maucliester, Providence, R. I. 
»Mrs. Mary A. Jlunro, Fall River, Mass. 
Mrs. Chas. B. Mosher, Grand Rapids, Mh. 
Russell Manchester, Newport, R. I. 
Pliilip Manchester, Locust Valley, L. I. 
Mrs. Randall H. Mole, Baltimore, Md. 
James McCanny, Providence, R.l. 
♦Mary Ellen Murphy, Fall River, Mass. 
Sarah E. Munro, Warren, R. I. 
*Mrs. Susan E. Mitchell, N. Bedford, Ms. 
Wm. II. Mitchell, New Bedford, Mass. 
Samuel Mitchell, " " '* 

♦Edward Munro, Providence, R I. 
*Dennis Mahoney, " " 

Willard N. JIunro, " 

Mrs. John Mulcahey, Newburyport, Ms. 
*James Murphy, East Providence, R. I. 
•Katie A. McLean, Fall River, Mass. 
William W. Munro, Warren, R. I. 



N 



Mrs. Wm. H. Newman, Batavia, N. Y. 
Alex. G. Noycs, Detroit, Mich. 

Mrs. Alex. G. Noyes, " " 

Thomas J. N()y«'S, " " 

Mrs. Thomas .J. Noyes, " " 

MissSaraphina Noyfs, " " 

Wm. C. Norrls, New Yoik. 
Henry L. Norris, Providence, R. I. 
*Miss Kate Norris, " " 

Louisa Noyes, " " 

♦Simeon Newman. " " 

♦David E. Munro, Portsmouth, R. I. 
♦Martha A. Munro, " " 

♦Mrs. Rebecca Mtison, Providence, R. I. 
♦Susie Maeomber, Fall River, Mass. 
*Abby M. Munro, Ilebronville. R. I. 
♦Frank A. Manchester, Locust Valley, 

L. I. 
♦Reliance Meiggs, Warren, R. I. 
♦Abby Manchester, Fall River, Mass. 
•Miss Ann A. Munro, Providence, R. I. 
♦Mrs. Lloj'd Marble, Attleboro', Mass. 
♦Mrs. Betsey Mason, Warren, R. I. 



*Miss Maggie O'Brien, Pawtucket, R. I. 



Samuel P. Otterson, Davenport, Iowa. 
;Mrs. Hannah N. Otterson, Brockton, Ms. 
Mrs. Mary E. Owen, New Haven, Conn. 
John D. O. Mara, Boston, Mass. 
Christian Oldenfleldt, Chicago, 111. 
Mrs. Mary C. Osier, New Haven, Conn. 
*Kate O'Hurney, Norwalk, " 

Mary O'Hurney, " " 

♦Mrs. Bridget O'Leary, Pawtucket, R. I. 
Mrs. Nellie O'llara, Springfield, Mass. 
Mrs. Mar. O'Mara, Lowell, Mass. 
♦Michael O'Brien, Fall River, Mass. 
Mrs. Mary E. Owen, New London, Conn. 
♦George Oxx, Providence, R. 1. 
Miss Mary Ann O'Doncll, Warren, R. I. 
Mrs. Nellie O'Brien, Fall River, Mass. 
*Wm. O'Brien, Warren, R. I. 
Wm. H. O'Rourke, Westerly, R. I. 



*Mrs. Clinton Puffer, Woonsocket, R.I. 
♦Miss Hannah Peck, Providence, " 
♦Andrew Pitman, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Mrs. Wm. D. Powell, Rochester, N. Y. 
Mrs. Robert I). Pinckney, Charleston, 

S. C. 
*Wm. S. Perry, New York. 
♦Wm. G. Peabodie, Providence, R. I. 
Rev. B. B. Peck, Auburn. R. I. 
Geo. B. Peterson, Portsmouth, R. I. 
♦Mrs. Hen. W. Parkhurst, Plattsmouth, 

Neb. 
J. B. Pearse, New Mexico. 
Joseph C. Pearse, New York, 
*Wm. G. Pearse, Warren, R. I. 
Rev. Henry C. Potter, New York. 
Wm. Peck, Troy, Pa. 
Mrs. Jonathan Peck, Troy, N. Y. 
Wm. D. W. Peck, Gonzales, Texas. 
Mrs. Wm. H. Powers, Grand Rapids, Mh. 
*Mrs. Hiram Perry, Barrington, R. I. 
♦Josiah K. Pitman, Newport, " 
*Fitz H. Peabodie, Providence, R. I. 
♦Mason W. Peirce, " " 

Mrs. Anne Poole, Buffalo, N. Y. 
Mrs. Henry S. Parker, Worcester, Mass. 
Mrs. Chas. Potter, Newport, R. I. 
Frank H. Peck, Boston. Mass. 
♦Charles H. Phelps, New York. 
Charles B. Pearse, " •' 
Fred. Pepper, S. Boston, Mass. 
Fritz H. Pepper, " " 

Mrs. Theodore Phinney, Newport. R. I. 
♦Mrs. Hannah C. Perry, Providence, R. I. 
♦Rev. Francis Peck. Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Mrs. Rev. Francis Peck, " " 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



179 



♦George T. Pearse, Worcester, Mass. 
♦George C. Pearse, Providence, R. I. 
Cornelius Pearse, " " 

Edward T. Pearse, " " 

*Henry C. Pearse, " " 

Ezra B. Pearse, Pheiiix, R. I. 
♦Howard B. Pearse, Providence, R. I. 
*George G. Pearse, Wakefield, " 
Mrs. Josiah K. Pitman, Newport, " 
*Josiah K. Pitman, Jr., " " 

Charles L. H. Peirce, Baylis, 111. 
Mrs. Eliz Pitman, Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Miss Jos. Pitman, " " " 

*Cbarles C. Pitman, '' " '• 

*Wm. H. Peirce, Swansey, Mass. 
Mrs. Abby M. Palmer. Providence, R. I. 
*Mrs. Mason W. Peirce, " " 

*Mrs. Jeremiah Pidge, " " 

Mrs. James Pidge, " •' 

Mrs. Jane Pond, Franklin, Mass. 
Mrs. Emily Pond, " " 

Wm. Pearse, Jersey City, N J. 
Rev. Jas D'W. Perry, Germantown, Pa. 
*Rev. Calbraith B. Perry, Baltimore, Md. 
*Raj'mond Peirce, Providence, R. I. 
*Mr9. M. M. Pratt, Brooklyn, X. Y. 
♦George W. Peck, Boston, Mass. 
Wm. Ellsworth Peck, Block Island. 
*Miss Hannah Peck, Providence, R. I. 
Mrs. Ashton Pillings, Baylis, 111. 
♦Henry P. Peirce, New Bedford, Mass. 
♦Mrs. Jennie T. Peck, Barrington, R. I. 
Mrs. Ruth B. Perry. Locust Valley, L. I. 
Isaac A. Pearse, East Smithfield, Pa. 
George T. Peck, Galesborough, 111. 
Mrs. George T. Peck, " " 

Isaac G. Peck, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
♦Walter Palmer, East Greenwich, R. I. 
J. M. Pelton, New York. 
♦Samuel S. Paine, New Bedford, Mass. 
*Geo. W. Paine, " " " 

Mrs. Lucy Pease, Edgartown, Mass. 
Paul Pilkey, Ogdensburg, N. Y. 
Flora Pilkey, " 

George Pitman, Newport, R. I. 
Miss Sarah Pitman, " " 

*Miss Lizzie Pitman, " " 

♦Alfred Peabodie, Providence, R. I. 
Mrs. Wm. Peck, Barrington, " 

♦Mrs. Anne F. Pratt, Brooklyn N. Y. 
Nelson Palmer, Providence, R. I. 
♦Mrs. Amelia Pearse, Fall River, Mass. 
♦Wm. S. Perry, New York. 
Mrs. Geo. F. Peterson, Washington, D. C. 
Mrs. Phinney, Warren, R. I. 
Mrs. Louisa B. T. Perry, Locust Valley, 
L. L 



♦Mrs. W. H. Plielps, Putnam, Conn. 
♦Ruth Ellen Pearse, Warren, R. I. 
♦Betsey P. Paine, Providence, " 
Josiah II. Pitman, Fall River, Mass. 

Mrs. Josiah 11. Pitman, " *• " 

Samuel Pitman, " " " 

♦Mrs. Abby W. Palmer, Central Falls, 

R.I. 
♦Mrs. Nancy Presbey, Taunton, Mass. 
Reginald Heber Palmer, Prov., R. I. 
Walter Pearse, Hartford, Conn. 
Mrs. Walter Pearse, " " 



♦Thomas M. Quirk, Fall River, Mass. 
Patrick M. Quinn, " " " 

♦Dennis Quirk, Tiverton, R. I. 
♦Miss Ellen M. Quirk, Newport, R. I. 
Miss Mary A. Quirk, Warren, " 



♦Samuel Reynolos, Boston, Mass. 
♦George T. Reynolds, Providence, R. I. 
♦Francis B. Reynolds, " " 

Betsey Reynolds, East Greenwich, R. I. 
♦Mrs. Clara L. Rowland, Chicago, 111. 
Mrs. Geo. Richmond, New York. 
Joseph Reynolds, Providence, R. I. 

♦Theodore Rutherford, " " 

Mrs. John Roberts, •' " 

.James Robbins, Nebraska. 
♦Miss Hattie R. Robbins, New Bedford. 

Mass. 
♦Mrs. Abby A. Rogers, New Bedford, Ms. 
Mrs. Alone Robinson, Philadelphia, Pa 
♦Maude Richmond, Providence, R. I. 
♦James O. Reid, Fall River, Mass. 
♦Miss Sarah E.Reid, " •• " 

Miss Sarah T. Russell, Providence, R. I. 
Mrs. Eliz. Rich, East Smithfield, Pa. 
♦Mrs. John L. Ross, Pawtncket, R. J. 
John Riley, Frankport, Me. 
Mar. Riley, Manchester, Mass. 
Mrs. Evylyn Rathburn, Albany, N. Y. 
♦Lydia G. Reynolds, Providence, R. I. 
William Allen Reed, San Francisco, Cal. 
♦Charles H. Richard?', Providence, R. I. 
♦George L. Richards. Providence, " 
Mrs. Joanna M. Rogers, Chicago, 111. 
Mrs. Joel F. Rainsford, Meriden,N. H. 
Mrs. Prudence Randall, Wlscasset, Me. 
Wm. A. Rowland, Rockford, 111. 
Elleiy W. Rich, Warren, R. I. 
Isaiah S. Rich, Providence, R. I. 
Frank H. Rich, " " 



180 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



Joseph J. Ralph, Colchester, Conn. 
Mrs. Susan G. Ralph, " " 

John Robbing, Woonsocket, R. I. 
Mrs. Frank Reynolds, Providence, R. I. 
*Miss Ambrosia A. Rovelts, " " 



S 



(ieorge A. Starkey, Galveston, Texas. 

Mrs. Eliz. Spencer, Providence, R. I. 

George T.Smith, Newport, " 

*Mrs. William Il.Stebbins, Swansey, Ms. 

*Mi3S Snsan A. G. Sherman, Prov., R. I. 

♦Walter M. B. Sherman, " 

*Henry M. Slocum " " 

Charles A. Slocum, " " 

Misis S. Seymour, Warren, R. I. 

*Mrs. C. F. Stephens, M'orcetter, Mass. 

*Bertha E. Slade, Newport, R. I. 

*Cato Slocum, East Providence, R. I. 

*Lizzie J. Sherman, Providence, " 

*Mrs. Henry Smith, 

Mary J. Sweet, " '• 

*Abby Salisbury, Providence, R. I. 

*Jnlia Simmons, Warren, R. I. 

Wm. A. Swan, Taunton, Mass. 

*Hattie G. Sheldon, Providence, R. I. 

*Miss Emma Snively, " " 

Mrs. Hannah Shepard, Mansville, N. Y. 

William K. Reynolds, Providence, R.I. 

*Benj. S. Simmons, East Providence, 
R. I. 

*Belle Simmons, Pawtucket, R. I. 

Etta May Simmons, " " 

Miss C. Seymour, Warren, " 

*Frank Simmons, Pawtucket, " 

*Edgar Simmons, " " 

*"Erwin Simmons, " " 

*William H. H. Swan, Providence, R. I. 

*Cliarles H. Springer, Fall River, Mass. 

*WilIiam S. Springer, " " 

*Joseph T. Springer, " " " 

*Benj. F. Smith, Warren, R. I. 

*Charles H. Swan, Providence, R. I. 

♦Edward M. Springer, Pawtucket, R. I. 

George B. Sandford, Camp Halleck, Ne- 
vada. 

*SoIonF. Smith, Grafton, Mass. 

Josiah Simmons, Fair Haven, Mass. 

*Wm. H. Springer, New Bedford, " 

John Springer, " " " 

*Isaiah R. Simmons, Boston, Mass. 

John F. Specater, New London, Conn. 

*Samuel R. Swan, Providence, R. I. 

*Samuel B. Swan, " " 

Madaline D'W. Smith, New York. 

*Mary B. Smith, Sylvania, Pa. 



Mrs. Rev. Wm. Stowe, Clyde, N. Y. 

Davenport S. Simmons, Plainfield, Ct. 

*Mrs. Allen Simmons, New Bedford, Ms. 

♦Robert Simmons, Fair Haven, " 

*Allen Simmons, New Bedford, " 

Mrs. Dr. Job Sweet, " " " 

*Right Rev. Benj. B. Smith, New York. 

*George P. Smith, Cleveland, Ohio. 

*Mary Sigafoo, North Vinelanrt. N. J. 

♦Edward B. Southworth, Patterson, N.J. 

*R. Simmons, Warren, R. I. 

*Wm. M. Springer, New Bedford, Mass. 

Mrs. Ansel J. Sears, Coventry, Vt. 

♦Jonathan Simmons, Warren, R. I. 

♦Mrs. Jonathan Simmons, " 

♦Gilbert R. Simmons, " 

*Alex. G. Sandford, " 

♦Mrs. Alex. G. Sandford, 

*George Smith, " 

♦Airs. George Smith, " 

Mrs. Mary Sumner, Lamont, Mich. 

*Edward M. Springer, Pawtucket, R. I. 

*W. S. Simmons, Warren, R. I. 

M'ing Spooner, New Bedford, Mass. 

Josiah Simmons, Fair Haven, " 

*Samuel B. Swan, Providence, R. I. 

*Thomas Swan, " " 

*Mrs. Thomas Swan, " " 

*Joel M. Spencer, " " 

*Orrin S. Spencer, " " 

*Harvey Spencer, Coventi*y, " 

Miss Eliza B. Swan, Providence," 

Sheffield A. Swan, " " 

John Swan, Bloomfleld, Cal. 

*Heni-y F. Smith, Providence, " 

Mrs. Sydney Smith, Hornelsville, N. Y. 

*Samuel C. Smith, Jamestown, N. Y. 

*Mrs. Allen C. Slade, Stonington, Conn. 

Mrs. Rebecca J. Shannon, Toronto, W. 
Canada. 

*Mrs. Eliz. Seeling, Darien, Conn. 

*Samuel J. Smith, Salem, Mass. 

♦William H. Smith, '• 

Mrs. Anne Stocking, Waterbury, Conn. 

*John T. Smith, Fall River, Mass. 

James L. Smith, New York. 

William J. Smith, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

♦George M. Smith, New York. 

♦Harriet Simmons, Dighton, Mass. 

Ellery Sandford. Tecumseh, Neb. 

♦Arthur B. Spink, Providence, R. I. 

Mrs. Arthur B. Spink, " " 

Mrs. Samuel Spink " " 

♦Christopher C. Simmons, East Provi- 
dence, R. I. 

♦Lewis H. Snakenborger, New York. 

♦John II. Shay, Fall River, Mass. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



181 



Mrs. Celia A. Santeana, N. Bedford, Mass. 
Mrs Mary A. Smith, " " 

Andrew Salisbury, Providence, K. I. 
Mrs. Mary J. Smith, Worcester, Mass. 
*Mrs. Margaret Studley, Providence, R.I. 
*Mr8. VVm. Sayer, Hyde Park, Mass. 
\Vm. Sayer, " " 

♦Mrs. Mary A. Stetson, Providence, H I. 
*Miss Ella Stetson, '* " 

P. J. Sullivan, fioston, Mass. 
John S. Shurtz, New York. 
Jason T. Simmons, Chicago, 111. 
Jason T. Simmons, Jr., " " 
Mrs. Jason T. Simmons, Quincy, 111. 
Elnora Simmons, " " 

Abbj' Simmons, " " 

Mrs. Julia M. Sherman, Providence, R.I. 
John H. Shay, Fall River, Mass. 
*Miss Minnie Seymour, Warren, R. I. 
*Mrs. Joseph Seymoui-, " " 

*Mrs. Abraham B. Stillwell, Providence, 

R. I. 
Mrs. Joseph Simmons, Walnut Hill, 

Mass. 
*Mrs. George R. Shaw, Providence, R.I. 
Osborn Swan, " " 

*Thomas Swan, Jr. " •' 

*Mary J. Sparks, East Providence, " 
Mrs. James E. Swan, Providence, " 
*Mrs. Emily Smith, Vergennes, Vt. 
*Miss Ella Shaw, Providence, R. I. 
Mrs. Hannah Smith, " " 



*Edwin H. Tilley, Newport, R. I. 
James Thompson, Williamsburg, Pa. 
*Edward M. Tilley, Norfolk, Va. 
Prof. Wm. E. Thompson, Sinia, N. Y. 
Mrs. Dr. Sam'l Theobold, Baltimore, Md. 
Mark A. DeW. Tanner, Bangor, Cal. 
Mrs. Nelson B. Tanner, South Abing- 

ton, Mass. 
*Henry H. Tilley, Washington, D. C. 
*Benj. Tilley, Norfolk, Va. 
William P. Tilley, Portsmouth, Va. 
Thomas C. Tilley, Norfolk, Va. 
Lydia Eva Tilley, Williamsburg, Va. 
Mrs. Lucy B. Tilley, Norfolk, Va. 
Lewis W. Taft, Providence, R. I. 
*Mrs Chas. Talbot, Martha's Vineyard, 

Mass. 
*Sam'l P. Thornton, Elizabeth, N. J. 
*Char es H. Tilley, Newport, R. I. 
♦Mrs. Henry H. Tilley, Washington, D.C. 
*Rev. William J. Tilley, Middlebury, Vt. 
Benj. F. Tilley, Annapolis, JId. 



*J. B. Tallman, Syracuse, N. Y. 
Mrs. Olive Twaddle, New York. 
Timothy I. Tanner, Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Wm. II. Tanner, '• '• 

John B. Tanner, " " 

Benj. B. Tanner, " 

Michael Thomas, Boston, Mass. 
*Mrs. John Tweedale, Washington, D.C. 
♦Samuel Trenn, East Providence, R. I. 
Peter Trenn, East Smithfleld, Pa. 
Frank W. Tanner, NorthAbington, Mass. 
♦William R. Taylor, jr.. Providence, R.I. 
*Frank L. B. Taylor, " •< 

♦Mrs. Wm. H. Teele, " " 

Russell H. Teele. " " 

♦Henry Tanner, Buffalo, N. Y. 
Cornelius E.Tanncr.Grand Rapids, Mich. 
♦Miss Ida C. Taft, Meriden, Mass. 
B. C. Tillinghast, Philadelphia, Pa. 
H. G. Tillinghast, 

Mrs. Marion Townsend.Wareham, Mass. 
Mrs. Mary C. Taylor, N. Bedford, Mass. 
♦Mrs. Charles Tallman, Portsmouth, R.I. 
Benj. Tripp, Providence, R. I. 
Mrs. Sarah Thomas, Jersey City, N. J. 
*Mrs. W^m. Tallman, New Bedford, Mass. 
Mrs. Francis W. Tanner, Swansey, •* 
William Toye, jr.. Providence, R. I. 



Emily F. Usher, New Bedford, " 

*Benj. B. Usher, Warren, R. I. 
*Aaron F. Usher, Goodell, Pa. 
*Miss Anne Usher, East Smithfleld, Pa. 
George Usher, " " " 

*John Usher, " " •' 

William Usher, East Smithfleld, Pa. 
Frank B. Upham, Boston, Mass. 
*Nathaniel W. Usher, Scio, N. Y. 
♦John Usher, Fall River, Mass. 
*Eliz. B. Usher, Warren, K. 1. 



*Mrs. Sam'l J. Vickery, Pawtucket, R. I. 
*Mrs. Giles F. Vernier, South Creek, Pa. 
John W. Vernon, Providence, R. I. 
*rhomas S. Vickery, Fall River, Mass. 
*Samuel J. Vickery, Warwick, R. I. 
Mrs. Lydia Van Zandt, Newport, K. I. 
♦Henry Van Doom, Providence, R. I. 
*Mrs. C. D. Vosburgh, Grand Rapids, 

Mich. 
♦Giles F. Vernier, South Creek, Pa. 
♦Joseph R. Van Doom, Quincy, 111. 
William H. Van Doom, '* " 



182 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



*F. Vauglin, Providence, U. I. 
Lydia Van Doom, Quincy, 111. 
Mary C. Van Doom, " •' 
John H. Vansburgli, New York. 
♦Mrs. Mary Verry, Woonsocket, R. I. 
*Edward P. Van Doom, Providence, R.I. 
Mary P. Van Doom, " " 

•Lewis Vaughn, " " 

Fred N. Viall, East Providence, " 

W 

*Mrs. H. B. White, Providence, R. I. 
*Winiam H. White, 
*H. S. Williamson, " " 

*Mildred L. Williams, New York. 
*Margaret E. Woodman, Fall River, 

Mass. 
♦William J. Wilcox, Providence, R. I. 
»Mrs Lydia F. Williams, Taunton, Mass. 
*Alfred Wright, Warren, R. I. 
*Miss Jane H. Walker, Somerset, Mass. 
•Mrs. Elisha Watson, Wakefield, R. I. 
*Wm. H. Waldron,Cambridgeport, Mass. 
Mrs. Benj. T. Wilbur, Long Plains, " 
Marion W. Wheeler, New Y'ork. 
*James R. White, Newport, R. I. 
Lewis F. Waldron, East Saginaw, Mich. 
♦Nathan G. West, Hartford, Conn. 
Miss Martha G. White, Marietta, Ga. 
Capt. Wm. Williston, San Francisco.Ual. 
Mrs. P. L. Wells, Staten Island, N. Y. 
D. West, " " " 

Frank D. Waldron, Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Nelson Waldron, Queechy, Vt. 
•John H. Waldron, " 
Mrs. Mary A. Whitehead, Whiteside, 111. 
Rev. John B. Wight, Wayland, Mass. 
Joseph Waldron, Butterville, 111. 
Allen Wood, Angelica, N. Y'. 
Algenon Wood, " " 

*David A. Waldron, Barrington. R. I. 
•William H. West, 

Mrs. Wm. G. Wilcox, Fall River, Mass. 
Mrs. Sarah J. Wright, Providence, R I. 
•Nathaniel Wilson, Newport, " 

*John West, 

•James R. White, •• " 

George E. Warren, Jerseyville, 111. 
Mrs. Mary Wheaton, Providence, R. I. 
*Benjamin Wardwell, " " 

•William Wilraarth, Warren, " 

Miss Annie Wilmarth, " " 

Mrs. Susan Warner, Ackron, Ohio. 
Charles Wilkinson, New York. 
Mrs. Isaac Washburn, Taunton, Mass 
•Mrs. Mary M. West, Attleboro, " 



Mrs. Annie E. Weeks, Mystic Bridge, Ct. 
Mrs. Caleb Williams, Elizabeth, N. J. 
John Waldron, Fair Haven, Mass. 
.Joseph M. Wardwell, Warren, N. Y. 
Miss Martha Weaver, Norton, Mass. 
*John S. Weeden, Providence, R. I. 
Miss Maria Waldron, Bariington, R.I. 
Mrs. Louisa Walton, Providence, " 
»Edmond M. Waldron, " " 

Benjamin B. Waldron, Newport, " 
Alfred Waldron, Providence, " 

Mrs. Adelaide Wordell, Fall River, Mass. 
*Emeline Wordell, Valley Falls, II. I. 
Mrs. Hattie Williams, Providence, " 
*Mrs. Emily Webster, " " 

Miss Susan White, Warren, '• 

Mary M. Wesson, Fair Haven, Ct. 
Charles Wesson, " " 

•William M. Wardwell, Monsville, N. Y. 
Miss Abbie M. Wardwell, " " 

*James H. Wright, Newport, R. I. 
James M. Winslow, Warren, " 
*Miss Jennie Winslow, " " 

William P. Williams, Fall River, Mass. 
James West, Plymouth, " 

•Peter M. Williams, Fall River, " 
Samuel R, Warren, Montreal, Canada. 
*Benjamin White, Providence, R. I. 
•Ellen P. White, " " 

Mrs. Ann E. Warning, Burlington, Ct. 
*William A. Wardwell, Providence, R.I. 
*John H. White, 

*Davis Wilson, " " 

Amos C. Weeden, Rye Beach, N. H. 
William B. Weeden, Providence, R. I. 
•Alimon T. White, 
Miss Hannah Wardwell, Watertown, 

N. Y. 
•Benjamin Wilson, Barrington, R.I. 
Rev. Timothy F. Wardwell, Watertown, 

N. Y. 
Jonathan Wardwell, Watertown, N. Y. 
William B. West, Newport, R. I. 
Mrs. J. M. AVheaton, Lawrence, Mass. 
•Mrs. Augustus Winship, Providence, 

R.L 
Mrs Frank D. Woodmancy, Fall River, 

Mass. 
•Mrs. Manuel Wilcox, Fall River, Mass. 
Mrs. Samuel Wilcox, " " 

Mrs. Samuel B. Wilcox, " '• 

Miss Ardelia Wordell, •' " 

Miss Emeline Wood, Valley Falls, R. I. 
Mrs. Anne Wilkie, Jersey City, N. J. 
Henry Wight, Cairo, Ga. 
Mrs. Abby Wight, Cairo, Ga. 
Samuel B, Wight, Albany, Ga. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 



183 



Jeremiah M. Wai-dwell, Corpus Christie, 

Texas. 
Allen Wood, Friendship, N. Y. 
Algernon S. Wood, Friendship, N. Y. 
Miss Sarah W^ood. " " 

Mrs. Kebecea VV. Wood, " " 

♦Mrs. Lydia M. Warren, Boston, Mass. 
*Cbarle8 D. Wliite, Warren, K. I. 
*Annie R. WMliis, " " 

*CharlesM. P. Wliite, " 
William H. White, 
Mrs. Almira 15. Williston, New Bedford, 

Mass. 
♦Mrs. Benjamin Warren, Fall River, Ms. 
*Mrs. Susan L. Wood, Providence, R. I. 
Mrs. Sarah M. West, •' " 

*Mrs. Lydia Worsley, " '• 

Mrs. Clara II. Whiltemore, Cliarlestown, 

Mass. 
Mrs. Charlotte M. Williams, Taunton, 

Mass. 
*Mrs. Mary A. Waite, Middletown, R. I. 
Miss Annie P. Waldron, Salem, N.J. 
Mrs. Emma J. Weaver, Fair Haven, Ct. 
Mrs. Chas. Williams, East Smithfield, Pa. 
Mrs. Jane Waldion, " " " 

*John B Wilson, Providence, R. I. 
William W'est, " 

Mrs. Henry Wilkins, " " 

♦Frank B. Wlii e, " " 

*Ida E. Wright, Warren, 
*Wm. J. Wright, " 



Mary E.Whittemore, E. Providence, R.I. 
*Louisa W^alton, Providence, U. I. 
*Mary Y. Whiting, " «• 

Joseph Winslow, Fall River, Mass. 
Julia I. Weeden, Newport, R. I. 
♦Andrew J. White, Providence, R. I. 
♦Mrs. Elizabeth White, " " 

*Miss Emma White, " " 

♦Willie G. White, 

*Miss Sarah Warner, " " 

William Waldron, East Smithfield, Pa. 
♦Harriet T. Willis, Providence, R. I. 
William Whitaker, Seekonk, Mass. 
*James Whitaker, " " 

♦Alfred B. Waldron, Troy, Pa. 
*Horatio Waldron, Providence, R.I. 
Tlieodore Waldron, Troy, Pa. 
♦William T. Wardwell, Stanford, Ct. 
♦Samuel Wardwell, Monsville, N. Y. 
♦Charles H. W^ardwell, " " 

♦Margaret E. Woodmancy, Fall River, 

Mass. 
♦William J. Wilcox, Providence, R. I. 
♦Mrs. Lydia F. Williams, Taunton. Mass. 
♦Alfred Wright, Warren, R. L 
♦Jane H. Walker, Somerset, Mass. 
Mrs. F. L. Williams, New York. 
♦Mildred L. Williams, New York. 
♦Henry S. Williamson, Pi-ovidence, R.I. 
♦William Henry White, " " 

♦Mrs. Henry B. White, " " 



184 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BEISTOL. 



Memorandum of Receipts and Expenses, Bi-Centennial Committee. 



Received from the town of Bristol, - - - . $1500 00 

" " sundry entertainments furnished by 

the Committee : 
" " Pinafore exhibition, 

" " lecture by Isaac N. Arnold, 

•' " ladles' sale, ... 

" " concert, .... 

" " readings by Mrs. Charles Smith, (Fanny 

Morant), ... 

" " minstrels' concert, ... 

*' for interest, ..... 
" from members of the Committee, 



Expenses for bands of music, 

" " tents and putting up, 

«' " platforms, seats, and dinner tables, 

" '* carriages used in the procession, - 

" «' exhibition of relics, 

" " decorating public buildings, 

" " dinners to invited guests, 

" " " " band and police, 

" " badges of all kinds, 

" " printing circulars, programmes, etc. 

" " procession, ... 

" " electric light, ... 

•• " postage, etc., ... 

" * " advertising, - - - 

" " salutes and bell ringing, 

•' " fencing memorial trees, 

" " children's choir, - - . 

" " town seal, .... 



$130 14 




12 55 




91 72 




23 00 




23 GO 




I 55 






282 56 


- 


11 23 


- 


- 35 03 




$l,82S 82 



$420 


54 


279 


93 


171 


31 


166 


00 


128 


61 


100 00 


100 00 


39 


75 


78 


74 


61 


50 


53 


65 


46 35 


47 21 


34 


56 


33 


85 


31 


82 


25 00 


10 00 


$1,828 82 


334 50 



There was an additional expenditure of - 
.for the dinners given to the returning Sons and Daughters of Bristol, 
made under the direction of the Committee, which amount was furnished 
by members of the same, and other citizens of the town. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 185 



The following lines, from the pen of a 
Bristol," Miss Anne E. Cole, of Warren, blend in sweet 
harmony with the grand refrain of our Bi-Centennial, and 
most a])propriately close the record of the festal day. They 
originally appeared in the Providence Journal a few days 
after the celebration. They are now published with a slight 
addition, having been revised by the fair author. We give 
them — sweet echoes of a grand chorus : — 

bi-centennial echoes. 

We heard from afar a sweet refrain ; — 

" Childreu, my cluklreu, come home again. 
Come home, come home, a welcome will meet you, 

Come to your birthphice, wherever you roam, 
In festal adornments I wait now to greet you. 

From the east and the west, my childreu, come home." 

As Mercury fleet, 
Ou swift-flying feet, 
With white pinions neat, 

The missives were sent; 
And hundreds were polled 
In the soft satin fold, 
With the quaint letters old, 

Past centuries lent. 

In the councils of State, — 
In the halls of the great, — 
Where the humble ones wait. 

The summons was laid. 
And the message conned o'er, 
They sped homeward once more. 
As they never before 

Their parent obeyed. 

Steed, steam and wind, their powers combined 

With favoring sun and air; 
Tlie Inbound trains bore martial strains, 

And cannon hailed them there. 



186 BI-CENTENNIAL, OF BRISTOL. 

Badges displayed, — the grand parade, — 
Th' adorned and bannered way, — 

The joyful word of greeting heard, 
Gladdened the centuries' day. 

But abler pens than mine have traced 

The festive hours along, 
And loftier chords more sweetly swelled 

The bi-centennial song. 

The breath of devotion, and childhood's pure strain. 
Blent o'er the thousands, home-gathered again ; 
Through the rifts of the tent the soft breezes strayed, 
And glints of warm sunlight in ambush there laid. 

The grave historic muse was there, 
Scanning each word with jealous care, 
The massive pages musing o'er. 
Lest Romance tinge the sober lore. 

Legend and tale of Viking old. 
Though traced in annals clear and bold, 
Alike, the plain statistics shock, — 
They antedated Pl^'mouth rock. 

No earlier footprints here were found. 
The red man held the primal ground. 
And Plymouth next the treasure wins. 
Rolled up in seven beaver skins. 

Nor yea, nor nay, we said amen, 
When listening to the Diamond pen 
Which bore no tribute, gave no meed, 
To hero of the mythic deed. 

Good Massasoit, Philip too. 
Some words of calm approval drew; 
Some pen-marks few were made to trace 
The history of the conquered race. 

The story of the ancient town,— 
The honored four of old renown, — 
The wealth and commerce o'er the seas, — 
The home-bound, freighted ai'gosies — 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BKISTOL. 187 

The grand historic altar graced. 
With many records I've not traced; 
His moral then the Historian drew, 
And o'er the rest Time's mantle threw. 

Then Poesy awoke her sweetest lays, 

And a full tone rolled forth in tuneful praise. 

Not broken was that shell, nor still that lyre, 

The " force of will " woke all the olden fire; 

It streamed afar o'er the wild Norsemen's way, 

And shed on Metacom a pitying ray. 

We saw well nigh a thousand years of time. 

By light electric of historic rhyme. 

Those " chords unstrung," re-echoed through the wild, 

Fair Gudrid's Norse-notes to her Vinland child. 

In Montaup's shades we heard a nation's wail, 

And saw the white man o'er the red prevail. 

We met to-day with gleeful notes attune. 

Fair as the May, and sweet as flowers of June. 

And classic ground awhile we wandered o'er. 

Then turned once more to bless our native shore. 

The pain of sweetness, and the sweet regret 
This poem chaste awoke, is lingering yet. 

To this mind-feast we fain would tarry late, 
But dinner calls us to its stern debate. 

Sons and daughters come, 

The moments are fleeting, 

Receive the warm greeting, — 
The fond welcome home. 

Sons and daughters haste 

While the garlands are bright. 

Feast now in our sight. 
Of the banquet now taste. 

And there was spread a royal feast ; 
From north to south, from west and east. 

Was gathered a vast store. 
The sea, the land, the realms of air. 
The fattening stall, the fowler's snare, 

Their varied tributes bore. 



188 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL, 

The fruits of many a distant clime,— 
The products of our harvest time, — 

The luxury of cold, — 
In viands rare, and richly wrought. 
With golden woi'ds of welcome fraught, 

Revealed their wealth untold. 

We feasted at the gracious board, 
Where Plenty its libations poured; — 

The flying hours sped on. 
We listened to the parting word. 
The parting melody we heard, 

Twas finished all too soon. 

With music sounding to the breeze, 
Were planted four memorial trees, 

Just at the sun's last ray. 
O'er hill and stream, through wood and dell. 
The cannon thundered its farewell; — 

Two centuries rolled away. 

I pause beside the festal board once more 
To hear those gracious words repeated o'er 
By bard and scholar, statesman and the sage, 
As each traced out the progress of the age. 
Bright scintillations flashed from mind to mind, 
And grace and feeling answered back in kind. 
Each laid his tribute on the household shrine. 
And sought some flowery wreath of love to twine. 
There, too, upon home's olden altar-stone. 
The light of thanks and filial homage shone. 
At twilight hour we went with reverent tread. 
To view the portraits of the honored dead. 
We saw the worthies of the olden town, 
Who reared this commonwealth of fair renown. 
With busy care they wrought out far to-day. 
Which in the coming centuries dimly lay. 
We spanned these centuries,— saw the years along, 
Telling their stories to the passing throng. 
Each pictured face, in framework quaint and dark, 
Held its lone post,— Time's silent finger mark. 
Founder and preacher, ruler, statesmen too. 
And far-famed beauties met the admiring view. 
The wondering light of every moveless eye. 
Thus mutely seemed to ask the passers-by ; — 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 189 

' By whose rude right have we obeyed tlie calls 
Which tore us from our own familiar halls? 
Yours is our heritage, — a fair bequest,— 
Leave us our past, its silence and its rest." 
And thus across two centuries green and ftvir. 
Those vanished generations met us there. 

From hallowed scenes, dim with the far away, 
We turn again to our own bright to-day. 
The evening time speeds on in light and song. 
And joyous hearts the festive hours prolong. 
Fair as its day, on History's page, appears 
The Bi-Centenuial of the Bristol years. 




APPE^^DIX 



The following account of the " High School Reunion," held on Saturday 
evening, September 25th, was furnished by Henry H. Tilley, Esq., of 
Washington, D. 0. : — 

THE HIGH SCHOOL RE-UNION. 

The reunion of the Bristol High School, in Byfield Hall, on Saturday 
evening, was amost successful and enjoyable affair, and formed a pleasing 
conclusion to the bi-centennial festivities of the week. The hall was 
tastefully decorated, the walls showing appropriate mottoes, chiefly in 
Latin, and the front of the platform being covered with plants in bloom. 
When the meeting was called to order, at 8 p. m., an audience of over 
two hundred were assembled, comprising the present pupils of the school, 
with former ones from the time of its inauguration, in 1848. Henry H. 
Tilley, of the Navy Department, Washington, D. C, presided, and called 
upon Rev. J. P. Lane, for many years, and until his recent removal from 
the town, a member of the School Committee, to open the meeting with 
prayer. Mr. Tilley then made the following introductory address : 

Ladies and Oentlemen, Teachers and Pupils, of the High School : 

As one of the original members of the High School, I have been selected 
to preside on this occasion, and in the name of the present school, to wel- 
come the returning members. Although I have not the honor and satis- 
faction of being a graduate, and at the time of my connection Avith the 
institution it was yet in its infancy, I yield to none in my appreciation of 
its importance and advantages, and have ever esteemed the influence of 
the comparatively limited period which I was permitted to pass within its 
walls, as among the most important upon my subsequent career in life. 
And in this connection I cannot omit paying a passing tribute to the 
memory of our first principal, the lamented Prof. Wm. E. Jillson, whose 
firm and dignified, yet gentle and persuasive manner — so happily combin- 
ing the suuviter in modo with the fortiter in re —was of more value to us, 
by inspiring a love of learning for his, as well as its own sake, than the 
actual instruction which he so lucidly imparted. Of my other teacher, 



192 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

the genial and polished Lafayette Burr— whose name is a decided misno- 
mer, since if he ever had any such rough outside covering, he must have 
shed it very early in life — I need not make further mention, as we still 
have the pleasure of reckoning him, as well as Mrs. B , our former school- 
mate and the daughter of Dr. Shepard, the earliest and firmest friend of 
the school, among our living friends, and only regret that circumstances 
did not allow of their being present with us this evening. 

Those earl}'^ days, together with the venerable old Academy in which 
they were passed, and, alas! with some of the old companions then so 
dear to us, are gone. And many of those still living, scattered throughout 
the world, are unable to be with us to-night To them we send a hearty 
greeting, with the hope that we may, ere long, have the pleasure of once 
more grasping them by the baud. But to us who look back with regret to 
those happy days, and who only get a glimpse of the scenes amid which 
they were passed once a year or less, it is a source of much gratification 
that the High School, after all the vicissitudes through which it has 
passed, not only still lives, but is located in snch pleasant and commo- 
dious quarters as the Byfleld building, in which we are now assembled, 
and that our places are occupied by such promising pupils — the sons and 
daughters of our old schoolmates -as I saw there the other day, and most 
of whom are with us this evening, prepared to cordially welcome their 
predecessors of all the former years. In the light of my experience since 
I left the school, I cannot forbear to impress upon them the importance of 
improving to the utmost the advantages which old Bristol so generously 
offers them, and which, in some respects, far exceed those that the 
National Capital, where I now reside, is yet able to afford its school chil- 
dren. With its population of over 150,000, and all its flue school edlflces, 
Washington has no high school where, as here, pupils can be fitted for 
college; nor, I may add, with all its literary advantages for scholars and 
men of leisure, has it any free circulating library like the Rogers, Remem- 
ber, then, my young friends, " of him to whom much is given, much shall 
be required," and do not neglect the opportunities now offered you, or it 
will prove a source of unceasing regret in after life. 

And to my schoolmates and other former pupils of the school who, hav- 
ing entered on the active duties of life, remain here at the old homestead, 
and have taken the places of the fathers, who, in my boyhood, had the 
direction of affairs, I would simply say, "Freely ye have received, freely 
give"; and I urge you to see that the reputation which, as the orator of 
the day and others informed us yesterday, the town has enjoyed even from 
its foundation, for liberality on the subject of education, be not diminished 
or obscured; and especially that the High School which, as President 
Robinson claimed, formed so important a link in our State educational 
system, and whose advantages you can appreciate, is not allowed to 
decline or perish. But, as our time is limited, I am reminded tluit I was 
not put here to make a speech, but merely to serve as a portico to the 
temple. 



BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 193 

The chair announced tliat the committee liad been disappointed in the 
absence of Mr. Bnrr, the second principal of the school, to whom he had 
already referred, and read a letter from him re^^retting his inability to be 
present, on account of other engagements, and also the following extract 
from a private letter to himself: 

" I have no doubt that my ' boys,' most of whom are occupying positions 
of trust and responsibility, will give a good account of themselves, while 
the girls' ' cara} alumnaj ' will also be present, if the claims upon them as 
wives, mothers, or teachers permit. They may not speak of what tliey 
have accomplished in life, but their good deeds and true lives are known, 
and their happy influence is felt wherever they may live. May God bless 
them all, and long spare them to be good and useful men and women, and 
when they all have crossed the flood, may our reiiuion in the spirit-land 
be happy and complete." 

Another disappointment was caused by the absence of Hon. T. W. Bick- 
nell, a former principal, who had given the committee encouragement to 
expect him, but telegraphed at the last moment that he was unable to 
cancel a prior engagement in Boston. 

Robert S. Andrews, for many years Superintendent of Public Schools, 
being called upon, made a brief address, and en passant related an anec- 
dote communicated to him by the poet of the bi-centennial (Bishop 
Howe), of his early school-days in the old Academy. 

Rev. Calbraith B. Perry, of Baltimore, Md., a comparatively young 
graduate of the school, made a most amusing extempore speech, com- 
mencing with an allusion to an item in a Baltimore paper, to the effect that 
he had " gone to his native place to celebrate his bi-centennial, and would 
stop in the house in which he was born, which loas still standing." He 
adverted to the work in which he is now engaged among the colored pop- 
ulation of Baltimore, describing one of his original pupils, styled the 
"India Rubber Boy," and ended with some telling allusions to his early 
school days, which brought down the house. 

He was followed by Rev. Joseph Tfapnell, rector of St. Michael's twent}'- 
flve years ago, when his children were pupils of the school, who gave 
some excellent advice as to the true end of education. 

Prof. Wilfred H. Munro, the historian of Bristol, and Chandler II. 
Coggeshall, Secretary of the High School Association, gave entertaining 
reminiscences of their school days, and Rev. W. J. Tilley, of Middlebury, 
Vt., a former pupil, made a brief but spicy speech. 

Hon. Wm. II. Spooner, one of the fli'st pupils, late President of the 
Town Council, and member of the Legislature, being called upon, 
expressed his gratification at the reiinion, but excused himself from a 
speech, and oflered as a substitute Hon. Wm. J. Miller, he being a mem- 
ber of the School Committee, and married to a High School girl. Mr. 
Miller responded with some interesting reminiscences of the Bristol 
schools fifty years ago, paying a high tribute to Otis Storrs, one of the 
most efficient teachers of that day, who, he said, h.ad first taught him tiie 
25 



194 BI-CENTENNIAL OF BRISTOL. 

true end of school education, which was not so much the acquisition of 
facts, as how to learn, which should be a life pursuit. 

The literary exercises, which were agreeably diversified by vocal music 
admirably rendered by the Zerrahn Quartette, Messrs. Burgess, Spinning, 
Young and Liscomb, being bi'ought to a close, a portion of the seats were 
removed, refreshments, provided in part by the ladies, were distributed, 
and the true reunion commenced, a season of social intercourse between 
the present and past pupils, many of whom now greeted each other for the 
first time for many years. Many regrets were heard for those who had 
passed aWay, particularly on the part of the pupils of Rev. N. B. Cooke 
and Mr. Morley, two of the most highly-esteemed and successful among 
the former principals. After the refreshments were disposed of. Prof. 
John Tweedale, of the War Department, Washington, D. C, the husband 
of a former pupil, read, by request, " Centeunial Bells," and' in response 
to pei'sistent encores, gave several humerous selections in capital style. 

The company separated about 11 p. m., with a general expression of sat- 
isfaction with the happy occasion, and a hope that it might soon be 
i-epeated. In conclusion, we may remark that it is a great source of grat- 
ification to its friends, that the school, which had rather languished for 
several years, is fast regaining its former prestige under its present 
efficient Principal, J. E. Estee, who entered heartily into the project of 
the reiinion, and to whom, with Miss A. B. Manchester, his assistant, its 
success is largely due. 



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